Ons Jabeur, a Tunisian tennis player, has spoken up about the difficulties of eating during Ramadan, one of the holiest months for Muslims.
The athlete, who is fasting for the month, is unable to eat or drink anything when the sun is shining. Muslims are permitted to have a pre-dawn meal before beginning their fast and to break their fast after nightfall. Ramadan began on March 23rd and will finish on April 21st this year.
Despite the difficulties, Jabeur is determined to concentrate on her game, and she will play Lesia Tsurenko in the second round of the Charleston event after obtaining a first-round bye.
“Ramadan happens to be the same time as Charleston. Hopefully in a few years, when Ramadan changes from the date of Charleston, I will be able to enjoy it more,” Jabeur said, per Tennis Atlantic.
On Charleston food scene and nightlife: “Ramadan happens to be the same time as Charleston…Hopefully in a few years, when Ramadan changes from the date of Charleston, I will be able to enjoy it more.” —-@Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/fIl6Sn0G6b
— TennisAtlantic (@TennisAtlantic) April 3, 2023
Jabeur on a gluten-free diet
Jabeur, who recently returned from minor knee surgery, has made changes to her diet and she is now practicing gluten-free diet.
“I’ve been gluten-free since Indian Wells. It will be difficult when I go home, because there is no gluten-free couscous,” Jabeur said.
“I’ve been gluten-free since Indian Wells. It will be difficult when I go home, because there is no gluten-free couscous.” —@Ons_Jabeur pic.twitter.com/Bagj1yyDUM
— TennisAtlantic (@TennisAtlantic) April 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Jabeur is hoping to make some noise in Charleston.
During the Sunshine Double, Jabeur suffered a third-round defeat in Indian Wells before losing in her Miami opener.
While Jabeur was struggling with injuries at the start of the season, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina made the most noise.
Now that Jabeur is healthy again, she is hoping to challenge Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina.
“Elena won Wimbledon last year. Aryna struggled a bit last year but she regained her confidence. Iga is Iga. I think they have a very powerful game so that’s why it’s great to see them doing amazing. I think it’s great motivation for all of us. I know what great players they are and I think it’s fun to challenge them a bit. I have a completely different game from them so maybe it’s time that I make trouble for them a little bit,” Jabeur said.