Ons Jabeur has said playing on the Roland Garros clay courts at the Paris Olympics could have risked the rest of her season as the Tunisian returns to action at the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Wednesday.
Jabeur, 29, has been troubled for much of this season by a recurring knee injury, forcing her to withdraw from representing her country at the Games due to the toll clay courts take on her body.
Instead, the three-time Grand Slam finalist is competing at a hard-court event on the WTA Tour this week alongside players who either chose to skip the Olympics or did not qualify for their nations, including world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka and former US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Sloane Stephens.
"I am not at the Olympic Games due to the surface change and the issues I have with my knee," Jabeur said. "Still, it has been a very difficult decision to make. Being there, probably, would have meant missing the rest of the season for me; people have no idea what I am going through with my knee.
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Coco Gauff of the US is congratulated by Tunisia's Ons Jabeur after she won their French Open quarter-final at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 Reuters -
Coco Gauff hugs Ons Jabeur after their match. EPA -
Coco Gauff celebrates winning against Ons Jabeur. EPA -
Coco Gauff in action against Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. AP -
Coco Gauff celebrates winning match point against Ons Jabeur. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur during her quarter-final against Coco Gauff. Reuters -
Ons Jabeur whips up the crowd after winning a point against Coco Gauff. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur plays a backhand against Coco Gauff. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur plays football during her match against Coco Gauff. Getty Images -
Coco Gauff celebrates a point against Ons Jabeur. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia celebrates after winning a point against Coco Gauff. Getty Images -
Coco Gauff serves against Ons Jabeur. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stretches for a forehand. Getty Images -
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in action against Coco Gauff. EPA
"It was a very tough decision not to be in Paris, but I am happy to be here. I haven't played many matches this year; I skipped practically the entire first part, so I didn't want to make the same mistake of going without being at 100 per cent.
"The positive side is that I am back in Washington; a couple of years ago, I really enjoyed it, and I hope to do well here for the fans."
Jabeur's knee issue also forced her to pull out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships earlier this year and she missed one month of the season between February and March.
Given her fitness concerns, it made the transition from grass to clay courts a risk not worth taking, even for the Olympics, and the Tunisian is not the only player in the field in Washington DC to make the same decision. Raducanu, who would have represented Great Britain, also prioritised her health over competing in the Games.
"With my injury, I think I need much more time to prepare for clay. In general, within surface changes, the hardest is transitioning from grass to clay," the world No 16 said. "The schedule where the time between the Olympic Games and Toronto is very tight; honestly, I don't think this season's schedule suits any professional player.
"I know there are many other players who had different injuries and also decided not to risk it. To compete on clay and participate in a major event like the Olympics, you need to be at 100 per cent to give your best. I'm not so young anymore, so I try to win all the time I can to stay as long as possible on this beautiful tour."
Fourth seed Jabeur, who plays American Robin Montgomery in her first match having received a bye into the second round, hopes the Mubadala Citi DC Open can help her preparations for the US Open, where she reached the final in 2022.
"I hope this serves as a springboard for what comes next; I want to prepare well for the US Open," she said. "Tennis is a bit tough; you have to decide where to play every week. I feel the calendar is getting very tough over the years, but I try to handle it as best as I can. Right now, what I want is to enjoy my time here in Washington."
