Ons Jabeur says tennis players should not be enemies off the court and that’s why she has told Naomi Osaka and other players that she is there if someone needs help.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, opened up about her battle with anxiety and depression during the 2021 French Open.
This month, Osaka made two big announcements.
First, Osaka announced that from now on her sports agency EVOLVE will be representing Jabeur.
In her announcement, Osaka told about how Jabeur has been treating her kindly ever since they met for the first time.
Then last week, Osaka announced very happy news as she is pregnant and expecting her first child.
Jabeur on Osaka: I understand and I’m always there
āI understand the struggle Naomi has had. Iām not sure how she managed. But I always try to tell other players: āif you need help Iām here.ā Some players find it strange. Why is she doing that? But it comes from a pure heart. Itās just a tennis tournament; itās not life-threatening. Off the court you donāt need to be tough. You just need to be kind and smiling because you should enjoy it as much as you can. On court Iām completely different. Iām going to fight until the end of the match to win but when I shake your hand itās over and we move on to something else. I completely understand why other players choose not to be that way but my personality means I like to smile and laugh with everyone,” Jabeur told The Guardian.
After Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open, some started wondering if Osaka was done as a pro tennis player.
But Osaka then announced pregnancy and noted that she has definitely not retired from pro tennis.
In her announcement, Osaka revealed she plans to return to the Australian Open in 2023.
In 2023, Osaka will focus on pregnancy.
For Osaka, this may be exactly what she needs as there won’t be expectation or pressure tennis-wise on her this year.
In 2024, we may see a refreshed and very motivated Osaka.