Tunisian former World No. 2 set to make February comeback after struggling with long-term shoulder injury ABU DHABI: With fewer than 100 days to go until the 2025 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the golden girl of Arab tennis, Ons Jabeur, has confirmed she will return for the February event. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Tunisian, one of the most popular and successful players to emerge from the Arab world, has been dealing with a shoulder injury that forced her out of almost half the 2024 Hologic WTA Tour season. Jabeur has said she will be back and firing on all cylinders at the renowned International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City for the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Open, which runs from Feb. 1-8. The three-time Grand Slam finalist managed just one tournament singles appearance after Wimbledon in July before pulling out of her remaining schedule for the year. She told fans on social media she would be devoting the second half of 2024 to her charity work. Jabeur said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, one of my favorite tournaments in my home region where I always receive such fantastic support. It’s been a frustrating few months out with my shoulder injury, but I expect to be back fully fit for 2025, and I’m already looking forward to competing in Abu Dhabi once again in front of the passionate fanbase. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open continues to grow, attracting a strong line-up of players every year, and I’m thrilled to be competing once again.” Nigel Gupta, tournament director, said: “It’s fantastic news that Ons has confirmed she will return to the court early next year, and we are very excited to welcome her back. “As a Tunisian athlete, her influence on the growth of tennis within the region, and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open itself, has been hugely significant, and she is undoubtedly a real fans’ favorite. We wish Ons well for the remainder of her rehabilitation program and look forward to watching her perform in Abu Dhabi next February.” Jabeur, a two-time runner-up at Wimbledon (2022 and 2023) and the losing finalist at the US Open in 2022, is a five-time singles champion on the Hologic WTA Tour, reaching a career high of number two in the world rankings. She will join the field of 28 leading singles players and 16 doubles pairs for eight days of elite women’s tennis action at the Open, which is hosted in partnership with Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Sports Council. In 2024, former Wimbledon champion and World No. 5 Elena Rybakina clinched the singles title and Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin triumphed in doubles. A similarly elite field is expected for February’s tournament.