FORMER world No2 Anett Kontaveit will retire after Wimbledon aged just 27 due to a chronic back injury.
The Estonian revealed she has been struggling with lumbar disc degeneration – which can cause pain and numbness in the back.
Anett Kontaveit will retire after Wimbledon 2023 due to a chronic back injury
She is unable to continue training and competing consistently at the top level and has therefore called time prematurely on her career after July’s grass-court Grand Slam at the All England Club.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, Kontaveit told her 172,000 followers: “Hi friends, Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete.
“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 x.”
Kontaveit, born in Tallinn on Christmas Eve 1995, has won six singles titles and reached a career-high No2 in the rankings in June 2022.
That came following an impressive run at the end of 2021, including being runner-up at the WTA Finals.
She has failed to go beyond round three of any Grand Slam since 2020 and reached the only quarter-final of her career that year at the Australian Open.
That included her second-round exit at the 2022 US Open against Serena Williams, which proved to be the final win of the American legend’s astonishing career.
Kontaveit has won 389 matches since turning pro in 2010 and earned £6.28million in prize money.
But this year, she has played just ten competitive matches, winning three, amid her physical difficulties.
Now ranked 79th, Kontaveit will not be seeded at Wimbledon, meaning she could be drawn against one of the top players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina in round one.
The tournament starts on July 3 with the ladies’ final played on Centre Court on July 15.
Kontaveit has been struggling with lumbar disc degeneration
