Jabeur retires in tears in Stuttgart as Swiatek qualifies for the final

The semi-final that had everybody in Stuttgart on their toes just lasted three games. Actually, that match was already over after three points, when Ons Jabeur‘s left calf gave up. A huge pity because this battle for the second spot in the final had everything yelling popcorn: different game styles, fantastic hands, two huge competitors, and two players that will aim for the title at Roland-Garros.

Jabeur was in tears on her chair as she decided to retire after being down 3-0 in that first set. She went through a rough time since the start of the season with that knee injury and was finally getting back to her best tennis with a title in Charleston. But her body decided that those two tournaments back to back were in the end too much.

“I’m sorry guys, I really tried. But in the third point, I don’t know what happened”, a very emotional Jabeur told the crowd. “I was really excited to play Iga today as it’s always a fun match-up between us, and seeing that the stadium is full, I really appreciated it. I wish her the best of luck for the final. I’m sorry, I really tried to run, but Iga never makes it easy so…”

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Swiatek will now face Aryna Sabalenka for the second year in a row in Stuttgart’s final. She had an easy time in 2022 (6-2, 6-2) and leads 4-2 in their battles but she lost the last one at the WTA Finals last season (6-2, 2-6, 6-1).

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Tennis Majors