Tennis star Anett Kontaveit has announced she will be retiring after this year's Wimbledon due to a chronic back injury.
The 27-year-old was ranked number two in the world last year, but says it is "impossible to continue at the top level" due to her injury and she has been forced into an early retirement. Kontaveit won six professional titles in her career, with her best Grand Slam performance coming in 2020 when she reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
This February, Kontaveit was forced to pull out of her match against Shelby Rogers at the Abu Dhabi Open due to back issues and was out of action for two months. And Kontaviet has now revealed the chronic injury means she will have to retire.
"Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete," she wrote in an emotional post on Instagram. "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." Wimbledon will be Kontaveit's final tournament and the Estonian is hoping to go out on a high.
"Tennis has given and taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for that," she added. "It has been important to 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".
A number of tennis stars have paid tribute to Kontaveit, with Sabine Lisicki writing: "Sorry to see you go this way Congrats on a brilliant career. Everybody will be cheering for you at Wimbledon!" Gaby Dabrowski added: "Sorry to see you go Congrats on an incredible career and best of luck moving forward".
Alexa Guarachi wrote: "we will miss you!! Congrats on an amazing career!" Naomi Broady added: "I'm so sorry to hear it’s not on your terms Anett, every athlete deserves that. Congratulations on an amazing career, I'm excited for your next adventures".
"Tennis will miss you, i will miss you," wrote Sorana Cirstea. "Amazing player, but even better girl, owner of my favorite insta profile and my style inspiration! I know you will have a wonderful life after tennis, so all i can say is be proud of everything you have achived!
