Wimbledon: Two-time runner-up Ons Jabeur retires from first round match

Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, was forced to retire during her opening-round match at this year’s tournament, marking a painful early exit in what has already been a challenging season. 

The 30-year-old Tunisian, once ranked world No. 2, called time on her match against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova after trailing 7-6 (7-5), 2-0 under punishing heat on the grass courts of SW19.

The match took a concerning turn midway through the first set when Jabeur took a lengthy 14-minute medical timeout at 3-2. Appearing visibly distressed during the changeover, she buried her head in a towel, wrapped herself in an ice pack, and was seen drinking water as medical staff attended to her. A physio also checked her blood pressure. 

Though she returned to the court after the timeout, Jabeur never seemed at ease in the increasingly oppressive conditions, with temperatures pushing close to 30°C (86°F). Her movement was restricted, her energy visibly drained, and she ultimately signaled her retirement early in the second set, handing Tomova passage to the second round.

Ons Jabeur reacts during her first round match at 2024 SW19 (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“I wasn’t expecting not to feel good,” Jabeur said afterward in a statement sent to the press. “I have been practicing pretty well the last few days, but I guess these things happen.” She did not speak at a post-match press conference, leaving the grounds accompanied by a doctor.

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Jabeur to disconnect from tennis 

Jabeur’s exit adds to a growing list of physical setbacks that have hampered her career over the past year. Having slipped to world No. 59, her struggles with injury and fitness continue to disrupt her rhythm.  “I’m pretty sad,” she admitted. 

“It really doesn’t help with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do, even though it has been a very tough season for me.” Looking ahead, Jabeur said her immediate focus will be on rest and recovery, choosing to “disconnect a little bit from tennis” and spend time with her family. 

Hottest opening day at Wimbledon since 2001

The retirement comes as the UK braces for a heatwave, with temperatures in southwest London expected to climb as high as 33°C this week. Wimbledon’s opening day has rarely seen such extreme conditions—surpassing the 2001 record of 29.3°C, though still short of the all-time high of 35.7°C recorded in 2015.