Archive of posts tagged Marketa Vondrousova

Ons Jabeur Presses Pause on Tennis Career

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"Deep down, I haven't felt truly happy on the court for some time now," Ons Jabeur said in announcing her break from tennis.2023 Wimbledon

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 18, 2025
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport

Ons Jabeur is stepping away from tennis.

In an effort to strengthen her physical and mental health, the three-time Grand Slam finalist is pressing pause on her tennis career.

Tennis Express

A series of injuries has derailed Jabeur and drained the joy of playing from her.

Last month, Jabeur played through qualifying and knocked off 2024 Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini en route to the Berlin quarterfinals. Jabeur lost to 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals, then fell in back-to-back first-rounders, to Maya Joint at Eastbourne and to world No. 111 Viktoriya Tomova at Wimbledon. Jabeur retired from her Wimbledon opener after trailing 6-7, 0-2.

"For the past two years, I've been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries, and facing many other challenges," Jabeur posted on Twitter. "But deep down, I haven't felt truly happy on the court for some time now.

"Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now, I feel it's time to step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal and to rediscover the joy of simply living."

Former world No. 2 and two-time Wimbledon finalist Jabeur, who had left wrist surgery earlier in her career, has been beset by injuries in recent years. Jabeur shut down her 2024 season last August after suffering a shoulder injury.

Nicknamed the "Minister of Happiness" for her joyful disposition on court, Jabeur conceded she's struggled to find pleasure playing tennis this season.

The 30-year-old Tunisian started the 2025 season reaching the Brisbane quarterfinals bowing to Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6. Jabeur went on to reach back-to-back quarterfinals in Abu Dhabi and Doha. Since then, she's struggled posting a 3-9 record in main-draw, Tour-level matches.

A highly-skilled shotmaker and one of the Tour's most popular players, Jabeur will be missed for her unique style and fan-friendly personality.

Petra Kvitova, Dan Evans Lead Wimbledon Wild Cards

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Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova will return to SW19.Barbora Krejickova

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport

Petra Kvitova will return to Wimbledon this month.

Two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova leads the list of Wimbledon wild cards announced today by Tournament Referee Denise Parnell.

Tennis Express

The left-handed Kvitova swept Maria Sharapova to win the 2011 Wimbledon title. Three years later, Kvitova crushed Eugenie Bouchard to capture her second Wimbledon championship.

Eight different women have won the last eight Wimbledon championships, including successive winners from Czechia. Barbora Krejickova is reigning Wimbledon champion. Left-hander Marketa Vondrousova raised the Rosewater Dish in 2023.

The 35-year-old Kvitova is the only non-British player receiving a main-draw singles wild card today.

On the men's side, Briton's Dan Evans is one of seven British men to receive a main-draw wild card.

"I'm the first to harp on about the wild cards. It's not just about one week or one match. It's about what you do 52 weeks of the year," Evans told the media on Monday in comments published by BBC. "Tennis is not just about the grass court season in Britain. It's great that we've got an amazing set of events, but there is other tournaments.

"I haven't been good enough at those other tournaments, but I've still been professional, still train day in, day out."

Here's the list of Wimbledon wild cards announced today.

Wimbledon Men's Main Draw Wild Cards

Jay Clarke (GBR)
Oliver Crawford (GBR)
Dan Evans (GBR) 
George Loffhagen (GBR)
Johannus Monday (GBR)
Jack Pinnington Jones (GBR)
Henry Searle (GBR)
One more to be announced 

Wimbledon Ladies' Main Draw Wild Cards

Jodie Burrage (GBR)
Harriet Dart (GBR)
Francesca Jones (GBR)
Hannah Klugman (GBR)
Petra Kvitova (CZE)
Mike Stojsavljevic (GBR)
Heather Watson (GBR)
Mingge Xu (GBR)

Wimbledon is set for June 30-July 13th.