Tearful Ons Jabeur Battles Through Asthma Flare-Up to Reach Australian Open Third Round
The Tunisian star struggled with breathing issues but showed resilience in her second-round victory over Camila Osorio.
Ons Jabeur fought through an asthma attack and emotional distress to secure her place in the Australian Open third round, defeating Colombia’s Camila Osorio 7-5, 6-3 on Thursday. The three-time Grand Slam finalist was visibly struggling early in the match, breaking down in tears as she battled breathing difficulties just three games in.
A Tough Battle on and off the Court
Jabeur, 30, has been working her way back to top form after a shoulder injury sidelined her for much of last season. Once ranked world number two, she has now dropped to 39th after missing several key tournaments, including the US Open and Paris Olympics.
Her return to action in 2025 has been marred by asthma-related complications, which flared up during her match against Osorio.
“When I was younger, I was diagnosed with asthma, and taking time off didn’t help—it seems to have worsened,” Jabeur explained after the match.
Her struggles were evident when she slumped into her chair, coughing and clutching her chest after taking a 2-1 lead in the first set. She left the court for medical attention before returning with renewed determination.
Fighting Through Adversity
Despite not being at her best, Jabeur found a way to win. She admitted she had to adjust her game plan to manage her condition.
“It was very tough to play—very, very tough to breathe,” she said.
“I had to avoid long rallies, which wasn’t ideal against Camila. I even apologized to her at the end because I don’t like to behave like this on the court. But I had to manage.”
Had she lost the first set, Jabeur believes continuing would have been extremely difficult. Fortunately, her sharp play helped her close out the match in straight sets.
Looking Ahead
Jabeur remains focused on regaining her top form as she aims to become the first African and Arab woman to win a Grand Slam title.
“I’m still not 100% at the level I need to be to get back into the top 10, but it’s getting there,” she said. “I try not to be greedy after coming back from injury, but every time I feel like I’m improving, something happens.”
She now faces a challenging third-round match against American eighth seed Emma Navarro, who narrowly defeated China’s Wang Xiyu in three sets.
Jabeur won their only previous meeting in 2022, claiming a straight-set victory on clay in Navarro’s hometown of Charleston. However, with her health concerns, she remains cautious about the upcoming challenge.
“I’ll have to manage like I always do. Hopefully, I can find a way to feel better in the next two days.”
With her trademark determination, Jabeur will continue to fight—both against her opponents and her own physical challenges—as she pushes forward in Melbourne.