Anett Kontaveit to retire from tennis after Wimbledon due to back injury that makes it 'impossible to continue'
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Updated 20/06/2023 at 07:53 GMT
Former world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit will play her last professional tournament at Wimbledon. The 27-year-old has said it is "impossible to continue at the top level" due to a condition in her back. Kontaveit's career highlights include reaching the quarter-finals of the 2020 Australian Open, winning six titles, and qualifying for the 2021 WTA Finals after a memorable finish to the year.
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Anett Kontaveit has announced she will retire from tennis after Wimbledon at the age of 27.
Kontaveit is a former world No. 2 and six-time title winner on the WTA Tour.
However, she has revealed that she has a degenerative back condition that “does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition”.
She will play her final tournament at Wimbledon next month.
“Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete,” she said on social media.
“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.
"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.
“I am ready for new challenges after my last effort as a professional tennis player – to enjoy the game and compete as hard as I can at Wimbledon. Thank you everyone for your continuous support."
Kontaveit’s best Grand Slam showing was at the 2020 Australian Open when she reached the quarter-finals.
She memorably went on a fantastic run towards the end of 2021, winning 15 consecutive indoor matches and 26 of 28 matches overall, to qualify for the WTA Finals, where she made the final.
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Anett Kontaveit
Image credit: Getty Images
She reached No. 2 in the world following the 2022 French Open, despite losing in the first round, and then lost to Serena Williams in her last tournament at the US Open.
Kontaveit finished her season early due to a back issue and this year has won three matches across seven events.
She is currently ranked at No. 79 in the world.
Wimbledon starts on July 3.
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