Pain-free Ons Jabeur 'very positive about future' as she prepares for Australian Open and Abu Dhabi return

Tunisian star taking it one step at a time as she gets ready for new season that includes Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in February

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in action during her Brisbane International quarter-final match against Mirra Andreeva of Russia at Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane on January 3, 2025. EPA

Tunisian star Ons Jabeur is hoping that 2025 offers a fresh start as she looks to put her injury troubles behind her – starting with the Australian Open next week.

Jabeur, 30, suffered serious knee and shoulder injuries last August, forcing her to bring a premature end to her season, missing the US Open and the Asian swing. She dropped to No 42 in the world rankings.

Jabeur started 2025 on a much more positive note, reaching the last eight of the Brisbane International. She next competes in Adelaide before moving on to the Australian Open, which starts on January 12.

“I’m playing without pain. I am feeling much better and just taking it one step at a time. Some things take time but I am very positive about the future,” Jabeur told The National in an interview over Zoom.

“I'm very happy with the preparation that I did, and looking forward to have more matches to play and to be ready for the next tournament.

“It's definitely good preparation to play Brisbane and Adelaide, where I am right now. And I feel like it's going to be a very good preparation for the Australian Open and for the next tournaments.”

If all goes according to plan, Jabeur is confident her time in Australia will see her arrive in fighting shape to contest the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City in February.

“It always feels amazing to play in front of the beautiful crowd in Abu Dhabi,” the three-time Grand Slam finalist said. “I always feel supported there. It definitely feels like home. I feel like this year is going to be probably better than the other years. I'm really looking forward to playing this tournament again. I invite everyone to come and watch me.

“They are such a great crowd and the fact they encourage me and they support me. It's always an honour for me. I definitely feel love there in Abu Dhabi and the crowd always gives a plus for sure.”

Before that, Jabeur will be hoping to go as far as possible at the first major of the year and move up the WTA Tour rankings in Australia.

“I’m going to go step by step. I played a couple of matches in Brisbane, looking forward to playing more matches here in Adelaide, and hopefully I can get back, you know, the rhythm of playing matches and the confidence of playing matches. I feel like it's going to be a good tournament,” she added.

For now, Jabeur is focused on the Australian Open and the Middle East swing that includes Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, followed by the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments in the US.

“And then the clay season will start and that's another preparation for the season, but definitely one step at a time, one match at a time, and hope I can be ready,” she added.

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Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Jabeur said her recent injuries mean she might have to plan her season differently.

“I think this year, what I might do differently is listen to my body more. If I need to rest, definitely I will take a few days rest or skip tournaments. If not, I just go for it, play and enjoy every moment on the court,” she explained.

“Every tournament is important obviously, you know, points wise. The Grand Slams are always amazing. I love playing at Wimbledon, I also love playing the big tournaments in the Middle East.

“They're very important to me personally and, yeah, I'll try to do my best and do good in most of the tournaments.

“Mubadala is a pretty important one for me. Obviously, Doha and Dubai as well, they are really big tournaments. So, I feel like the more I play matches in the Middle East, the better I get the confidence back.”

Jabeur believes she still has plenty of tennis left in her and is happy to face the challenge of a top-quality field that includes the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.

“There are a lot of good ones out in the circuit. Aryna and Iga are on a good path and they play unbelievable tennis. I see Coco also playing good as well. There are different players that I feel raise the level between us,” Jabeur said.

“We are looking forward also to discover the younger generation like Mirra [Andreeva]. She plays really well.

“I have my chances to win against them. I know I have the level; I know I have the game to bother them. It's going to be a great time to see how it's going to play out.

“But definitely getting ready to be stronger and I know my game could really bother them.”