MEXICO: Tunisian tennis sensation Ons Jabeur, known for her remarkable skills on the court, displayed a different kind of strength after her victory over Marketa Vondrousova in the ongoing WTA Finals in Mexico. The 31-year-old, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, broke down in tears while remembering the martyrs of Gaza following her straight-sets win of 6-4, 6-3, avenging her Wimbledon 2023 final defeat to Vondrousova. Jabeur will now face Iga Swiatek in the tournament.
However, her triumph was overshadowed by her deep emotions regarding the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. In a heartfelt moment, Jabeur expressed her profound sadness about the crisis, saying, “It is very tough seeing children, babies dying every day.”
Ons Jabeur says she’s donating a portion of her prize money to Palestine:
“I am very happy with the win but I haven't been very happy lately. The situation in the world doesn't make me happy… I feel like… I am sorry. It’s very tough seeing children & babies dying every day.… pic.twitter.com/fVBz9McSjU
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 2, 2023
Amidst tears, she continued, “I cannot be happy with just this win, with what is happening. I am sorry guys, it is supposed to be about tennis, but it is very frustrating looking at videos every day. I am sorry – it is not a political message, it is just humanity. I want peace in this world and that is it.”
Ons Jabeur Expresses Solidarity with Gaza Victims
Jabeur revealed the impact the conflict had on her mental well-being, confessing to sleepless nights after witnessing the heartbreaking visuals from the war in Gaza. “The worst thing is I feel hopeless, I feel like I cannot do anything,” she said, expressing her sense of helplessness in the face of the tragedy.
Expressing her solidarity with the victims, Jabeur announced her decision to donate a portion of her earnings from the tournament to support the Gaza victims, showcasing her commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by the conflict.
The Israeli bombardment in Gaza has led to the tragic loss of at least 9,227 lives, including 3,648 children and 2,290 women, amplifying the urgency of international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
