“It’s very hard to see children, babies dying every day,” Jabeur said, holding back tears as she spoke about Israel’s war on Gaza after her victory at the WTA Finals in Mexico.
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur said she would donate part of her prize money from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) finals to Palestinians facing anger over Israel’s war on Gaza.
A visibly emotional Jabeur held back tears as she spoke on court following her victory over Marketa Vondrousova in Cancun on Wednesday.
“I’m very happy with this victory, but I haven’t been lately,” Jabeur said when asked if, as Tunisia’s “unofficial minister of happiness,” she was happy to avenge her victory. final defeat at Wimbledon against Vondrousova.
“The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy,” Jabeur said, then paused and walked away from the microphone as she broke down in tears.
The crowd in the Mexican seaside town applauded Jabeur as she composed herself before speaking about the images coming from Gaza.
“It’s very hard to see children and babies dying every day,” she said.
“It’s heartbreaking, so I decided to donate part of my prize money to help the Palestinians.”
Ons Jabeur says she donates part of her prize money to Palestine:
“I’m very happy with this victory, but I haven’t been very happy recently. The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy… I feel like… I’m sorry. It is very hard to see children and babies die every day.… pic.twitter.com/fVBz9McSjU
– The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 2, 2023
“I want peace in this world”
The 29-year-old has often spoken out on social issues, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region.
“I can’t be happy with this victory, with what’s happening. I’m sorry guys, this is supposed to be about tennis, but it’s very frustrating to watch videos every day.
“I’m sorry – it’s not a political message, it’s just a message of humanity. I want peace in this world and that’s it.
After the on-field interview, Jabeur was also visibly upset during her post-match press conference and said she struggled to get much sleep after watching “horrible” photos and videos of the war in Gaza.
“I try to stay off social media as much as possible, but it’s very difficult,” she told reporters.
“You look at horrible photos and videos every day – it doesn’t allow me to sleep or recover very well.
“The worst part is that I feel hopeless, I feel like I can’t do anything.”
The world’s seventh-ranked women’s singles player said she was affected by “seeing babies, women and people dying every day.”
“I wish (for) peace in this world, I wish that we can restore humanity.”
At least 8,796 people, including 3,648 children and 2,290 women, have been killed in Gaza by Israeli bombardment since the Palestinian armed group Hamas carried out deadly attacks in Israel on October 7.
“Winning a tennis match means nothing”
Jabeur is the only Arab and Muslim player to have qualified for a Grand Slam final in women’s singles.
The Tunisian found plenty of support in the crowd in Cancun, including one young fan who shouted: “I started playing tennis thanks to you, Ons.”
Jabeur said it was an honor for her to receive such warmth even though she came “from very far (from Mexico).”
However, she said winning a tennis match “means nothing in the face of what has been happening for weeks and weeks (in Gaza).”
“I wish I could wave a magic wand and end this and have peace for everyone.”
Although she pledged to donate part of her prize money to the Palestinians, Jabeur said she knew it “wouldn’t mean anything to them right now” but hoped it would help them a little to overcome what they were going through.
She revealed plans to start her own foundation “very soon” and hoped it would help people “in different situations”.
“It’s part of my plan to be not only an athlete but also a good ambassador and a good human being because after all the tennis career will end and all I want to do is help people in different situations.”