Anett Kontaveit to Retire After Wimbledon

The end of the 2023 Wimbledon marks the end of an era.

Anett Kontaveit announced she will retire after playing The Championships next month.

The 27-year-old Estonian is retiring due to a chronic back issue that’s prevented her from training.

Kontaveit captured six career WTA titles and ascended to a career-high rank of No. 2 on June 6th, 2022.

“Today, I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete,” Kontaveit posted 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.”

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The ongoing back issue has limited Kontaveit to 10 matches this season.

Kontaveit began playing tennis at the age of six, coached by her mom, Ulle.

A hard-hitting, aggressive baseliner, Kontaveit’s best Grand Slam result was a 2020 trip to the Australian Open quarterfinals.

The 5’9″ Kontaveit contested 16 Tour-level finals in her career, claiming her most recent title at the 2022 St. Petersburg where she reinforced her reputation as an indoor force.