Ons Jabeur auctions off racquet to help COVID-19 crisis in Tunisia 

Ons Jabeur took to Instagram on Monday to announce that she will be auctioning off one of her racquets to help COVID-19 efforts in Tunisia.

The world No. 23 addressed fans in both French and Arabic to talk about the auction itself along with the COVID-19 crisis that is striking her home country at an unprecedented rate. Infections are quickly rising, along with a dramatic influx of patients into overwhelmed hospitals. The situation in Tunisia is alarming: more than 16,000 deaths for 12 million residents within the region.

According to the World Health Association, the country has the highest COVID-19 death rate.

Jabeur's racquet started at $720 and will be open to bids for 48 hours. The Tunisian hopes tor raise enough to fund a resuscitation bed which can cost $2000 or more. Regardless if the number is reached or not, the collected amount will go directly towards vaccine efforts and medial equipment.

The racquet being auctioned off is the same frame she used to defeat Grand Slam champions Venus Williams, Garbiñe Muguruza and Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last week. Though she fell to Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, it was nonetheless a historic result: the best-ever for an Arab woman at SW19.

"It is for a good cause," Jabeur said on Instagram. "I cannot stay here to watch my country go through difficult situations."