Ons Jabeur Donates Part of Her WTA Prize Money to Help Palestinians
- Publish date: Thursday، 02 November 2023 Last update: Tuesday، 10 December 2024
Tunisian professional tennis player Ons Jabeur delivered an emotional statement after her impressive victory at the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, on Wednesday. Jabeur, a former world number two, secured her first win in the tournament, avenging her Wimbledon final loss to Marketa Vondrousova with a 6-4, 6-3 straight-set win. This victory marked a powerful comeback for Jabeur, who had faced a setback earlier in the tournament with a loss to Coco Gauff.
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In a post-match interview, teary-eyed Jabeur spoke about her deep concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She shared her feelings, saying, "I am very happy with the win, but I haven't been very happy lately. The situation in the world doesn't make me happy.”
Fighting back tears, she continued, "It’s very tough seeing children, babies dying every day. It’s heartbreaking. I have decided to donate part of my prize money to help the Palestinians. I can't be happy with this win. with what is happening. I'm sorry guys, [I know] it's supposed to be about tennis, but it's very frustrating looking at videos every day.”
Jabeur emphasized that her gesture was rooted in humanity rather than politics, stating, "It is not a political message. It is humanity. I want peace in this world. That’s it."
The 29-year-old athlete will face group leader Iga Swiatek in her final group stage match as she aims to secure a spot in the top four of the WTA Finals, which is a significant milestone in her career. This opportunity follows her group stage elimination in 2022, marking a remarkable journey for Jabeur in the world of women's tennis.
