Tunisian tennis professional Ons Jabeur has had an out-and-out breakthrough season in 2021. Only recently, she became the first-ever Arab player to enter the Top 10 rankings on the tennis tour. However, she has now announced some sad news, which puts her WTA Finals spot in doubt. Notably, Jabeur has withdrawn from the upcoming WTA Courmayeur Ladies Open, citing an elbow injury.
Before this, the 27-year-old gave a walkover to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Kremlin Cup R1 because of the same injury. On the other side, Estonian professional Anna Kontaveit won in Moscow, coming closer to Jabeur in the Race to the WTA Finals. So will the Tunisian star’s latest withdrawal cost her a seat in Guadalajara?
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Ons Jabeur on her WTA Courmayeur Ladies Open withdrawal
Undoubtedly, Italian tennis fans must have been waiting to see Ons Jabeur live in action in Courmayeur. Therefore, her withdrawal announcement might have upset more than a few.
However, the reigning Queen’s champion is looking forward to recovering soon. She would want to be in her best shape again if she qualifies for the WTA Finals, starting November 10th.
“I am sad to announce that I won’t be able to play in Courmayeur Ladies Open due to my elbow injury. It’s time to recover and to get ready for the next challenges. Thank you for the support,” Jabeur tweeted.
Besides, Jabeur is currently in ninth place in the Race to WTA Finals. But since World No.1 Ashleigh Barty has already withdrawn her participation, it gives the Tunisian star a qualifying spot.
Now, Kontaveit’s victory in Moscow has brought her closer to that last spot for Guadalajara. However, she must win the WTA Transylvania Open title to take Jabeur’s place.
Anett Kontaveit must win Cluj in order to pass Ons Jabeur in the Race and qualify for the WTA Finals in Guadalajara.
It’s on the Estonian’s racquet now.
Anything other than the title means Jabeur will qualify. (via WTA)
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) October 24, 2021
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Can Kontaveit crush Jabeur’s WTA Finals hope?
Indeed, Jabeur’s withdrawal from Courmayeur has boosted Kontaveit’s chances to make it into 2021’s top eight players and compete in the year-ending championships. Still, winning the WTA Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca might not just be a cakewalk.
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Getting used to this scene 😉
Anett Kontaveit claims her third title of the season 🏆#VTBKremlinCup pic.twitter.com/CWUGv5RI28
— wta (@WTA) October 24, 2021
Interestingly, former World No.1 Simona Halep and current US Open champion Emma Raducanu will compete in Cluj. But as per the draw, the second-seeded Kontaveit would potentially meet either of the two in the final only.
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All in all, it would be a nerve-racking week to see the conclusion of the Race to WTA Finals. Who do you think will go ahead, Jabeur or Kontaveit?
Also Read: How Can Naomi Osaka Qualify for WTA Finals?