Ons Jabeur revealed that she experienced a mid-match asthma attack during her second-round match at the Australian Open, which nearly led her to retire from the competition. The former world No. 2 was visibly distressed, coughing and clutching her chest while in tears shortly after taking a 2-1 lead against Camila Osorio on Thursday. Although a doctor was called to assist her, the medical intervention took place off the court rather than on-site.
Despite the alarming situation, Jabeur managed to regain her composure and continued the match, ultimately securing a 7-5, 6-3 victory. After the match, she expressed empathy for Osorio, emphasizing her desire not to distract her opponent with her health issues. “I tried to use the inhaler, and it didn’t really help,” Jabeur explained. “It was very, very tough to breathe. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was younger.” She mentioned that she had to avoid long rallies to cope with her condition and apologized to Osorio for any disruption her situation may have caused.
Looking ahead, Jabeur is set to face No. 8 seed Emma Navarro in the next round, provided she is fit to play. The two have met once before, with Jabeur winning decisively 6-3, 6-2 in Charleston in 2022. However, Navarro has since evolved into a formidable competitor, becoming a Grand Slam semifinalist and breaking into the top ten rankings. Jabeur hopes to manage her breathing effectively, as facing Navarro will present a significant challenge regardless of her health status.
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