Jabeur retires in tears in Stuttgart as Swiatek qualifies for the final
Ons Jabeur was only able to play three games against Iga Swiatek on Saturday in Stuttgart.
Jabeur and Swiatek in Stuttgart 2023 (AI / Reuters / Panoramic)
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…”
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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