(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Anett Kontaveit announced her retirement on social media on Monday, 20th June. The 27-year-old Estonian who’d peaked in the WTA singles ranking in June 2022 has been dealing with injuries since then. “Hi friends, Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete,” began Kontaveit’s post.
Continuing, she mentioned the medical reasons that’d prompted her to take this call. “After several doctor’s visits and consultations with my medical team, I have been advised that I have lumbar disc degeneration in my back.
This does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition. Therefore, it is impossible to continue at the top level in such a highly competitive field”. Then, thanking the sport, she said, “Tennis has given and taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for that.
It has been important for me to bring the Estonian flag to the tennis courts and to be able to play in front of my supporters and fans all over the world”. Finally, Kontaveit said that the upcoming Championships at Wimbledon would be the last event she would play professionally.
“I am ready for my last effort as a professional tennis player – to enjoy the game and compete as hard as I can at Wimbledon”.
After highs came huge lows for Anett Kontaveit
This year, Kontaveit played only seven tournaments.
Of these, she reached the second round in only three tournaments – the Australian Open, the Abu Dhabi Open and the Rome Open. Kontaveit also played the Group II Promotional Play-off tie for Estonia against Greece, in April, at the Billie Jean King Cup.
Kontaveit lost her singles rubber to Despina Papamichail. The best season Anett Kontaveit had as a pro was in 2021. That year, she reached seven WTA finals. She began the season by reaching the Grampians Trophy final and shared the trophy after the final had been called off due to rain, with fellow finalist, Ann Li.
She then won four titles at the Cleveland Open, Ostrava Open, Kremlin Cup and the Transylvania Open. That year, she also qualified for the WTA Finals in Guadalajara and made it all the way to the final before losing to Garbiñe Muguruza.
Apart from the WTA Finals, Kontaveit’s only other loss in a final that year came at the Eastbourne International.
