“Neymar was different, I had to talk to him” - Ons Jabeur shares how Brazilian superstar responded to her tennis proposal
Tennis star Ons Jabeur recently opened up about meeting Al-Hilal forward Neymar. The former women’s world No. 2 said she offered to play tennis with the Brazilian star.
Jabeur is in Saudi Arabia but is not competing in the WTA Finals because of a shoulder injury. However, she met two of football’s biggest stars – Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. – in Riyadh.
During a recent interview with Sky Sports Tennis (via The Tennis Gazette), Jabeur shared her experience of meeting the Brazilian. She said the Al-Hilal star follows tennis but refused the Tunisian's offer to play tennis, as he doesn't think he's good at it.
“Neymar was different, I had to talk to him, he loves tennis and he watches it. I asked him if he wants to play tennis but he said he’s not very good so maybe we’ll do a mixed double with the other Ronaldo, the Brazilian one, he loves tennis,” Jabeur said.
Ons Jabeur would hope to overcome an injury-riddled 2024 and bounce back for the first Grand Slam of 2025 — the Australian Open.
Neymar, meanwhile, has had his fair share of injuries since moving to Saudi Arabia from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2023. A cruciate ligament tear limited him to just five games last season.
The Brazilian returned to action in late October but recently picked up another knock (hamstring) during Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite clash with Esteghlal on Monday (November 4).
Al-Hilal gives update on Neymar’s latest injury
The Brazilian forward picked up a hamstring injury during his side’s 3-0 win over Iranian club Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday. The 32-year-old was making only his second appearance since his season-ending injury last year.
He was substituted onto the pitch in the 58th minute but was taken off in the 87th minute after what seemed like a muscle strain.
Now, Al-Hilal have confirmed (via journalist Fabrizio Romano) that the former PSG star suffered a tear in his hamstring and will be out for at least four weeks.
The Brazil international has suffered multiple spells on the sidelines throughout his illustrious career. Last year’s ACL kept him out for 366 days, the longest he has ever been away.