Ons Jabeur Donates Part of Her WTA Prize Money to Help Palestinians

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.

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.