Thu Jan 16 09:28:43 UTC 2025: ## Tunisian Tennis Star Jabeur Fights Through Asthma Attack to Advance at Australian Open
**Melbourne, Australia** – Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur battled through a severe asthma attack to secure a hard-fought victory in the second round of the Australian Open. The former world number two, currently ranked 39th, overcame Colombian Camila Osorio 7-5, 6-3 despite experiencing significant breathing difficulties early in the match.
Three games into the first set, Jabeur was visibly distressed, coughing and wiping away tears before leaving the court for medical attention. She attributed the attack to a resurgence of her asthma, exacerbated by a long layoff from the sport due to a shoulder injury and subsequent recovery. Jabeur admitted that the time away had left her vulnerable to asthma-related problems.
“When I was younger, I was diagnosed with asthma, so having taken off a lot didn’t help,” she explained post-match. “I think it provoked it even more.”
Despite the setback, Jabeur displayed remarkable resilience, returning to the court to clinch the win. She acknowledged the challenge, stating, “It was very tough to play. I had to not play long rallies… I apologized at the end of the match because I really don’t want to behave like this on the court.”
Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist aiming for a return to the top 10, admitted she’s not yet at 100% but is making progress. Her next opponent will be the American eighth seed, Emma Navarro, a challenging match-up for the Tunisian player who is still managing her asthma and recovering from injury. The win keeps alive her hopes of becoming the first African and Arab woman to win a Grand Slam title.
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