Former 2nd-ranked tennis player Anett Kontaveit retiring because of a back injury
Anett Kontaveit of Estonia plays a forehand return to Magda Linette of Poland during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Former No. 2-ranked tennis player Anett Kontaveit will retire after Wimbledon because of a back injury. The 27-year-old Estonian has lumbar disc degeneration and says it “does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition.” Credit: AP/Ng Han Guan
LONDON — Former second-ranked tennis player Anett Kontaveit will retire after Wimbledon because of a back injury.
The 27-year-old Estonian has lumbar disc degeneration and said it “does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition."
“Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete,” she posted on Instagram. “It is impossible to continue at the top level in such a highly competitive field.”
Kontaveit’s best result in a Grand Slam tournament was reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2020.
Wimbledon starts on July 3.
