(Video) Ons Jabeur Spotted in Tears After Taking a Medical Timeout During Wimbledon Opener Against Viktoriya Tomova

Ons Jabeur retired during the second set of her opening round match at Wimbledon against Viktoriya Tomova.

(Video) Ons Jabeur Spotted in Tears After Taking a Medical Timeout During Wimbledon Opener Against Viktoriya Tomova

Ons Jabeur (images via X)

Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, broke into tears after being forced to retire during her opening-round match at this year’s tournament, marking a heartbreaking early exit in what has already been a challenging season.

The 30-year-old, once ranked world No. 2, retired against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova after trailing 7-6 (7-5), 2-0 under the soaring heat on the grass courts of SW19. Jabeur took a lengthy 14-minute medical timeout in the first set when she was down 3-2.

Appearing visibly distressed, the Tunisian buried her head in a towel, wrapped herself in an ice pack, and was seen drinking water as medical staff attended to her. A physiotherapist also checked her blood pressure. She resumed the match but ended up losing the first set on a tiebreak before calling it a day after going 2-0 down in the second. Speaking about the exit to the press, Jabeur remarked:

I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I’ve been practising pretty well the last few days but I guess these things happen. I’m really sad. It doesn’t really help me with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do, even though it was a very tough season for me. So I hope I’m going to feel better and we’ll see what’s going to happen…

Jabeur’s Wimbledon exit adds to a growing list of physical setbacks that have affected her career over the past year. Having dipped to world No. 59, her struggles with injury and fitness continue to disrupt her rhythm. She is now looking forward towards rest and recovery.

[I will] definitely try to disconnect a little bit from tennis and try to just enjoy life outside tennis, recover and spend a little bit of time with the family and hopefully that could recharge me. Definitely ‘rest’ is the word for it.

Jabeur reached her maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2022 where she lost to Elena Rybakina, and in 2023 she lost the Wimbledon final to Marketa Vondrousova. Apart from Wimbledon, Jabeur had also reached the final of the US Open in 2022, where she lost to Iga Swiatek.

Viktoriya Tomova will face Sonay Kartal in the next round at Wimbledon

Ons Jabeur totaled 21 winners, but also logged 41 unforced errors in her opening round match at Wimbledon. Viktoriya Tomova, on the other hand, had 13 winners and 23 unforced errors. The Bulgarian No. 1 also broke Jabeur’s serve four times.

Viktoriya Tomova Wimbledon 2025
Viktoriya Tomova (image via WTA)

Tomova, who has never progressed beyond the second round at Wimbledon, will next face World No. 51 Sonay Kartal. The Brit advanced with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 win over World No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko on Monday at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club.

Kartal, 23, is one of 10 British women in action at Wimbledon – the most since 1992. Ostapenko, 28, had beaten Kartal comfortably in straight sets in the opening round at the Eastbourne Open last week but Kartal maintained her composure this time to outplay the Latvian. Kartal had her best run in a Grand Slam event last year, when she made it to the third round of Wimbledon. The second round match on Wednesday will mark the first meeting on court between Kartal and Tomova. The winner of this match will meet either Diana Shnaider or Diane Parry in the third round.

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