2023 WTA Finals Cancun: Ons Jabeur Donates Prize Money to Palestinian Aid
CANCUN, Mexico – On Wednesday, World No.7 Ons Jabeur made a heartfelt announcement at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun. She revealed her decision to donate a portion of her prize money to support Palestinian aid.
Jabeur’s announcement came after her impressive straight-sets victory over Marketa Vondrousova, securing her first win of the week at the season-ending championships. Overwhelmed with emotions, she tearfully addressed the crowd, expressing her mixed feelings about her recent success.
“I am very happy with the win, but I haven’t been happy lately, to be honest with you. The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy,” Jabeur confessed, her voice breaking. After composing herself, the Tunisian tennis star opened up about the ongoing war in Gaza.
“It’s incredibly tough witnessing the daily loss of innocent lives, especially children and babies. It’s truly heartbreaking. Therefore, I have decided to donate a portion of my prize money to help the Palestinians. This win alone cannot bring me happiness when such atrocities are happening. I apologize, as this topic goes beyond tennis, but it’s incredibly frustrating to witness these videos every day.”
Jabeur emphasized that her intention was not to convey a political message but rather to advocate for humanity and peace. “I simply want peace in this world, and that’s it,” she added.
During her press conference, Jabeur also discussed the challenges of maintaining focus on tennis amidst the unfolding events in the Middle East. She admitted to limiting her exposure to social media but acknowledged the difficulty of avoiding distressing images and videos.
“Every day, I come across horrifying photos and videos. It affects my sleep and recovery, and worst of all, it leaves me feeling helpless. I wish I had the power to end all this and bring peace to everyone,” Jabeur expressed with frustration. “While I understand that donating money may only provide limited relief, I hope it can make a small difference in their lives. Right now, I wish for freedom and peace for everyone.”
In her upcoming match, Jabeur will face World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the final round-robin play. A victory is crucial for Jabeur’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals.