Ons Jabeur has returned from a knee injury and will face Vondrousova in the 3rd round of the competition. She still explains that she came back too soon.
«It’s probably too early to come back, but I made it a new challenge“, explained Ons Jabeur, back after a knee injury, at the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells where she will test herself against Marketa Vondrousova in the 3rd round.
«It was a difficult decision to make, and I was the one who insisted on coming back to Indian Wells and then to Miami.“, declared the Tunisian 4th player in the world on Saturday evening, after having successfully entered the Californian desert by beating 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 the Polish Magdalena Frech (106th). “I regretted this choice after the first setadded the finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, smiling. “But then I said to myself that I had to take up this challenge, that I had to accept what was happening, that I had to fight.»
Several reasons motivated his decision
«First of all, I’m a competitor and it’s difficult for me to stay long without playing. Then, I didn’t want to be too unhooked in the standings. I’ve already missed two WTA 500s and a WTA 1000. Indian Wells and Miami approaching, I said to myself ok, I’ll get ready and we’ll see what will happen. I also told myself that if physically I’m not ready, then I can test my mind.» «Maybe if it doesn’t work, I’ll probably learn for the next few times“, she continued.
Jabeur, who hurt his knee in the second round of the Australian Open, lost to the Czech Marketa Vondrousova, did not want to expand on the nature of his injury which required surgery . “When the time is right, I’ll say what really happened, she said, leaving the mystery hanging without saying why. In any case, the knee is better. I would say it is 80%. Obviously I need more time. But at least the pain isn’t there.»
Chance of the draw, his next match will be an opportunity for revenge against Vondrousova, 79th in the world, finalist at Roland-Garros in 2019.I know how much she likes to play hard so it will be another challenge for me for sure“, anticipated Jabeur, who reached the semi-finals of the event in 2021.