Tennis-Tunisian Jabeur targeting WTA Tour return in 2027

Nov 12 (Reuters) – Former world number two Ons Jabeur said she hopes to return to professional tennis ​in 2027, after the Tunisian ‌gave birth to her first child in April. Jabeur took a break from tennis last year following her first-round exit at Wimbledon, citing ‌injuries ​and fatigue. She later ⁠extended her break after ⁠announcing she was pregnant. “I’m hoping to come back, hopefully next year. I still don’t know the exact time, ​but very soon,” the three-times Grand Slam runner-up told The National ⁠in an interview published ⁠on Wednesday. “I’m still discovering … my ​body is a bit changed after the ​delivery, but I’m definitely coming back ‌and hoping to stay a few more years on tour before actually retiring. “I’m enjoying everything with my son. ⁠He actually comes with me when I train. I’m trying to come back slowly.” The 32-year-old, ⁠dubbed ‌by fans as the “Minister of ⁠Happiness” for her cheerful personality, ​has ‌won five WTA titles and ​became the ⁠first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final in 2022, finishing runner-up at Wimbledon to Elena Rybakina. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Peter Rutherford)