By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Anett Kontaveit will close the curtain on her competitive career after playing Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old Estonian announced her retirement from pro tennis after next month’s Wimbledon due to a back injury that prevents her from training.

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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.”

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.

Playing beneath a closed roof, Kontaveit showed no competitive ceiling.

A spirited Kontaveit roared back from a 2-5 deficit in the decider streaking through the final five games in a wild 5-7, 7-6(4), 7-5 comeback triumph over Maria Sakkari in the 2022 St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy final. Kontaveit scored her 20th consecutive victory indoors with that final victory.

Photo credit: Getty