Ons Jabeur's comeback in Brisbane: promise and challenges
After cutting short her 2024 season to deal with recurring injuries, Ons Jabeur has returned to the court
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Ons Jabeur is rediscovering her rhythm on the other side of the world. After a 2024 season cut short to treat recurring injuries, the Tunisian made her comeback at the Brisbane tournament. The event, an important part of the build-up to the Australian Open (12-26 January), the first Grand Slam of the year, marks a key step in the 30-year-old's bid to get back to her best level.
Read also: Ons Jabeur, a year to forget
A return of control and fragility
From her first match, Ons Jabeur showed she had lost none of her fighting spirit. Facing world No 43 Elina Avanesyan, she started strongly to take the first set (6-4). But in the second set the Tunisian lost ground (1-6), seemingly conserving her energy to bounce back. The tactic paid off in the third set, despite a worrying fightback from her opponent from 4-1 to 4-4. True to her reputation, Jabeur eventually got over the line (6-4), thanks to her fearsome drop shots and a reading of the game that led her opponent to pile up unforced errors.
However, some weaknesses showed, notably a mixed first-serve performance (54% in, just one ace) and poor conversion of break points (6 out of 15). These are adjustments that need fine-tuning ahead of the major events.
Momentum halted in the quarter-finals
In the quarter-finals, Jabeur ran into Mirra Andreeva, a rising star of world tennis. Ranked 16th in the world at just 17, the Russian had already beaten Jabeur in Melbourne in 2024. On Brisbane's fast hard court, Andreeva repeated the feat in two tight sets (4-6, 6-7), ending the Tunisian's run.
Though the defeat may leave a bitter taste, Ons Jabeur proved she is back in the mix. The Brisbane tournament allowed her to get back into the rhythm of competition and fine-tune her game before the first major of the season: the Australian Open.
With her steely mentality and varied game, the Tunisian can still hope to shine in Melbourne, where she is aiming for a run worthy of her talent. Brisbane was only a start. All eyes are now on the Australian Grand Slam, where Ons Jabeur is determined to write a new chapter in her career and, above all, show that she is well and truly back and at the peak of her powers.