Ons Jabeur withdraws from the 2024 US Open due to injury, affecting the women’s singles draw. Explore the impact on the tournament and implications for Jabeur’s future.
Introduction
Tunisia’s tennis star, Ons Jabeur, has officially withdrawn from the 2024 US Open due to injury, which proved to be a challenge for her in the last few games. This will set up a big shift in dynamics for the tournament, particularly with Jabeur’s amazing performances of late at the US Open and through her generally fine Grand Slam performances. With her being a finalist at the US Open, her withdrawal is a significant blow to the fans and obviously changes the women’s singles draw.
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Injury and Recent Struggles of Ons Jabeur
Having been ranked as high as World No. 2, Ons Jabeur had to battle injuries for most of the 2024 season, with that right shoulder one proving the most incapacitating. That injury had her withdraw from all key tournaments going into the US Open, starting with Washington and Cincinnati. Her only appearance during the summer hard-court season saw her exit early when she lost in the opening round to Naomi Osaka in Toronto. The recurrence of this injury means she has now pulled out from the US Open, a high-stakes tournament where she usually does well.

2024 US Open Draw Implications
Jabeur had been seeded No. 17 in the women’s singles draw, which was released just before her withdrawal. With her withdrawal, the seeds and consequently, the draw is revised. Next in line to be seeded, Belgium’s Elise Mertens, receiving the No. 33 seed now. Mertens has been placed against Veronika Kudermetova in the first round. This also allows space for one qualifier or a lucky loser to come in, thus guaranteeing at least one lucky loser a main-draw spot.
See also: Ons Jabeur’s Remarkable Victory Over Clara Tauson at Roland-Garros 2024

With the seeding, anything can change with how the draw will eventually pan out in terms of the tournament. Now Mertens is seeded, maybe with a very different path than what was earlier perceived, and maybe the introduction of a lucky loser would mean certain unexpected matchups which keep increasing the charm of tournaments.

Jabeur at the US Open
Ons Jabeur has been pretty aggressive in playing over the years at the US Open. She can boast 16-8 as her career main-draw win-loss record at the event. Her best performance was in 2022, where she reached the finals finishing as a runner-up to current World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. She has been a steady presence on the courts at the US Open, with an appearance of at least the third round every year in the past five years. She had been in such good form and bringing such life to the courts that her withdrawal was a big loss for this event.

Historical Context: Jabeur’s Grand Slam Success
It was in 2022 that she reached the final for the first time at Wimbledon, and then again in 2023. This is enough to confirm her versatility and class on the different surfaces used in Grand Slam tournaments. These accomplishments have only set her into the echelon of premium players in the women’s game. Yet continued struggles with injuries have sparked concern over how long she may be able endure.

What This Means for Jabeur Moving Forward
Ons Jabeur’s pullout from the US Open is definitely an indication of the toll that has been taken on the players’ bodies. The shoulder injury is a recurrent one, and if not well managed, its prevalence shall have far-reaching career effects on her. It will now be her aim to focus on recovery and to make sure that once back on the court, she is fully okay.

The coming months will help us understand more about how Jabeur can continue to deal with her niggling injury, and then her bounce-back ability will be key in deciding what lies in store for her within the sport. Tennis lovers and gurus hope to witness Jabeur return to peak form, for she is one of the most dynamic and exciting players on the tour.
Conclusion:
The withdrawal from the injury that Ons Jabeur suffered at the 2024 US Open is such a big happening in the tennis world. Certainly, it changes the whole competition, but it brings in the question marks for her future in the game. By all accounts, she leaves having a very good record in the US Open as a finalist. Her withdrawal, though, is considered a loss to fans and competitors. The whole tennis world will be waiting ant reedy for her return, praying that she overcomes her injury and be able again to exhibit her best game on the highest level.