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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek consoled Ons Jabeur after the Tunisian was forced to retire from their 2023 Stuttgart Open semifinals due to an injury.
Swiatek and Jabeur's eagerly anticipated first meeting of the season was cut short when Jabeur started having problems with her left leg during the opening game. The World No. 4 soon called for a medical timeout and got her calf taped.
She played two more games after that, but was clearly not feeling well. After a second consultation with the physio, Jabeur decided to pull out of the match so as not to aggravate her injury further.
When Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur approached the net for the post-match handshake, the Pole hugged her opponent and tapped her on the back. Swiatek later went to check on Jabeur in the player area, sitting with her for a few seconds and offering her some kind words.
Check out the video here:
"I don't know what Ons' situation is, but I really respect the fact that she came out and she tried" - Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek stated in her on-court interview that she respected Ons Jabeur's attempt to stay in the match despite her injury. The Pole also revealed that she told Jabeur that they would most likely meet in the French Open final and finish what they started in Stuttgart.
"I don't know what Ons' situation is, but I really respect the fact that she came out and she tried and she wanted to see how it's going to go," Swiatek said.
"I told her we're probably going to play the Roland Garros final, so we'll see each other there. She's a fighter, so she's going to be back quick. I just hope it's nothing serious," she added.
Ons Jabeur also discussed her injury, stating that despite her excitement to play against the defending champion, she was unable to do so. She then wished the Pole good luck in the final.
"The third point, I don't know what happened. I was really excited to play Iga today, it's always a fun match-up between us. I wish her the best luck for the final. I'm sorry guys, I really tried to run, but Iga never makes it easy," Jabeur said.
Swiatek will now face Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Sunday. It will be a rematch of last year's Stuttgart final, which the Pole won 6-2, 6-2.
