Ons Jabeur plans to return to tennis in 2027 after giving birth to her son in April, 2026.
“I’m hoping to come back, hopefully next year. I still don’t know the exact time, but very soon. My body is a bit changed after the delivery, but I’m definitely coming back and hoping to stay a few more years on tour before actually retiring,” said Jabeur, as reported by ‘The National‘.
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Jabeur was once ranked second in the world and played three Grand Slam finals, losing all three. She struggled for form before taking a break from tennis, dropping out of the top 50.
If she is to challenge for the sport’s biggest titles when she returns, Jabeur will need to beat the best players on the WTA Tour. But how has she performed against the current WTA top 10 so far in her career?
Ons Jabeur’s record against the WTA top 10
3-3 vs WTA #1 Elena Rybakina
Jabeur is 3-3 against the current world number one Elena Rybakina. Jabeur beat Rybakina in Dubai, Chicago, and Wimbledon, while the Kazakhstani won in Wuhan, Wimbledon, and Abu Dhabi.
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Rybakina’s Wimbledon win was undoubtedly their most memorable clash. She fought back from a set down to defeat Jabeur, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the final, denying the Tunisian a maiden Grand Slam title.
2-4 vs WTA #2 Aryna Sabalenka
Jabeur has played six matches against Aryna Sabalenka, winning two and losing four. Jabeur won their first career meeting at Roland Garros in 2020, but had to wait three years for another win over the Belarusian, advancing to the 2023 Wimbledon final with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 win.
Sabalenka picked up wins over Jabeur at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Open, 2021 Wimbledon Championships, 2022 WTA Finals, and the 2023 Cincinnati Open. Matches between Jabeur and Sabalenka always delivered, and fans would surely love to see them face off again in 2027.
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0-2 vs WTA #3 Mirra Andreeva
Russia’s Mirra Andreeva is 2-0 against Jabeur, winning two matches down under. Andreeva defeated Jabeur 6-0, 6-2 at the 2024 Australian Open, and 6-4, 7-6 at the 2025 Brisbane International.
2-6 vs WTA #4 Coco Gauff
Jabeur also has a losing record against the world number four, Coco Gauff. Jabeur beat Gauff in Charleston and Berlin, but suffered defeats in Lexington, Rome, Paris (twice), Berlin, and at the 2023 WTA Finals in Mexico.
Gauff’s athleticism was a perfect counter to Jabeur’s variety and drop shots. Whether Jabeur can solve the Gauff puzzle when she returns remains to be seen.
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4-2 vs WTA #5 Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula is the first top-10 player that Jabeur maintains a positive head-to-head record against. Jabeur lost her first two career meetings with Pegula in Quebec and Montreal before winning four on the spin to lead 4-2.
They haven’t played since 2022, though, and it’s safe to say a lot has changed since then. Pegula has become one of the most consistent players on the women’s tour and is now a genuine Grand Slam contender, while Jabeur hasn’t won a match in 512 days.
1-4 vs WTA #6 Elina Svitolina
Jabeur is 1-4 against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. They first met back in 2012 in Jabeur’s home country, Tunisia. Svitolina won that match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
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The Ukrainian has since beaten Jabeur in Taipei, Dubai, and Wimbledon, while the Tunisian picked up her sole win at the 2021 Chicago Open, advancing to the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 win.
1-0 vs WTA #7 Karolina Muchova
Karolina Muchova and Jabeur have only played one match on the WTA Tour. Back in 2022, Jabeur defeated Muchova 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Berlin Open en route to her third career title.
2-1 vs WTA #8 Linda Noskova
Jabeur leads Muchova’s countrywoman, 2-1 in their head-to-head. Noskova won their first encounter at the 2023 Adelaide International, before the Tunisian secured victories in New York later in the year and at the 2024 Berlin Open.
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2-5 vs WTA #9 Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek and Jabeur played seven matches between 2019 and 2023. Swiatek leads their head-to-head 5-2, winning in Washington, Rome, New York, Stuttgart, and at the WTA Finals in Mexico. Jabeur won her two matches at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships and the 2021 Cincinnati Open.
Both players will be keen to return to their best in 2027. Jabeur and Swiatek are Grand Slam challengers at their best, and only time will tell if they can rediscover that form in the new year.
1-1 vs WTA #10 Marta Kostyuk
Jabeur and Marta Kostyuk have shared one win each so far. The 32-year-old won their first match in Adelaide three years ago, before Kostyuk won at the 2023 China Open.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
