It is really heartbreaking to see the “Minister of Happiness” also known as Ons Jabeur struggle with her health. Jabeur was the 2022 and 2023 Wimbledon finalist, and her somewhat unstandard game is suited to grass courts. Fans hoped to see a healthy Jabeur make a run in 2025.
That was not to be as Jabeur was forced to retire mid-match on Monday in the first round. Down 6-7 (after losing a tight tiebreaker 5-7) and 0-2 in the second set, Jabeur retired against 30-year-old Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova.
2022 and 2023 runner up Ons Jabeur retires in #Wimbledon round 1 vs. Tomova.
She was 7-6(5), 2-0 down… pic.twitter.com/AipvSdphQs
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 30, 2025
26 minutes into the match, Jabeur required a medical timeout. Her vitals were checked, and she left the court with the physio for more treatment. She returned and continued to play until it was apparent she could no longer keep going. Jabeur was in tears at times on the sidelines during the ordeal.
It is worth noting that the 2025 Wimbledon Championships open with an atypical London heat wave. Temperatures were expected to reach 90 degrees or more on the courts on the opening day of play.
Ons Jabeur’s Career
Jabeur has five WTA titles, and in addition to the two Wimbledon finalist finishes, she was also the 2022 US Open finalist. She reached a career high World No. 2 on June 27, 2022.
Her best opportunity to win a Grand Slam was at the 2023 Wimbledon where she was widely regarded as the favorite over Marketa Vondrousova. The pressure and expectations were clearly on Jabeur’s mind during the match.
At 30, she has openly talked about wanting to start a family. Winning one of those Grand Slams would have changed the trajectory of her career, and she may very well have sailed into retirement afterward.
Jabeur’s infectious smile, love, and kindness for her peers and the fans make her a beloved part of the WTA Tour. That’s what makes her Wimbledon first round retirement so difficult to watch.
Viktoriya Tomova’s Round 2 Opponent Is A Surprise
Tomova will face Sonay Kartal who upset Jelena Ostapenko in her first round match. This was an unexpected second round matchup for both players.
Sonay Kartal upsets Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 to reach the 2nd round at #Wimbledon.
Penko is the first seed to lose in this tournament.
Great moment in the end at the net. pic.twitter.com/hZYHlR4XyY
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 30, 2025
Kartal took out the first seed of the 2025 Wimbledon Championship; Ostapenko was seeded 20th.
