The Tunisian Ons Jabeur, 29, world number 3, announced on Wednesday February 8 that she would soon undergo a ” minor operation “, and that she was thus forfeited for the WTA 500 tournaments in Doha and WTA 1000 in Dubai this month. “ It breaks my heart “, she explained, thinking to herself “ sorry to the middle eastern fans “. ” I promise to come back stronger and healthy “, added Jabeur. Finalist of the last Wimbledon and US Open, the Tunisian was eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open on January 19. The player enjoys immense popularity in Tunisia, a country affected by a deep political and economic crisis, where she was nicknamed “Minister of Happiness” for the joy brought by her tennis exploits.