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World No 1 Iga Swiatek congratulated Anett Kontaveit on her career after the Estonian played the final match of her career at Wimbledon. Kontaveit, a former world No 2, concluded her career this Thursday after Marie Bouzkova handed her a 6-1 6-2 defeat in the Wimbledon second round.
Unfortunately, Kontaveit was diagnosed with a chronic back issue several months ago. Kontaveit was told by the doctors her back would never be the same and that pushed her into retiring at just the age of 27. "Congratulations on your career and thank you for every memory @AnettKontaveit," Swiatek tweeted.
Swiatek pays tribute to Kontaveit
Swiatek, 22, played against Kontaveit five times and claimed three victories. Their final meeting came in 2022 February, when Swiatek defeated Kontaveit in the Doha final. Unfortunately, they didn't get to play again in Kontaveit's last year and a half on the Tour.
Meanwhile, Kontaveit admitted there was sadness and happiness after playing the final match of her career. “There’s a lot of emotions. There’s sadness, there’s happiness, there’s a bit of everything.
It was incredible to have so many people cheering for me. Of course, the match didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I was so happy to be able to play in front of so many people that love me and were able to see me play for the last time – in singles," Kontaveit said after the match.
Also, Kontaveit was asked about the possibility of returning to tennis one day. “I’m pretty firm with this decision. When I stand up for too long or sit down for too long in the same position, it (my back) starts bothering me.
I hope that if I don’t give it that much exercise with tennis it will feel better in everyday life," Kontaveit highlighted. Kontaveit retiring at just 27 is sad but she had no other option considering the condition of her back.