Former World No.2 Anett Kontaveit announces shock retirement from tennis aged 27 due to chronic back injury

Former World No.2 Anett Kontaveit has announced her shock retirement from tennis at only the age of 27 after Wimbledon.

This due to a chronic back injury which has affected the Estonian since her rise to prominence in the back end of 2021.

Wimbledon will be the last tournament for Kontaveit who confirmed that she has lumbar disc degeneration in her back which does not allow her to compete anymore and it is now 'impossible' for her to continue at a high level.

In 2021, she sealed four titles, finished runner-up at the WTA Finals and was World No.2 with many seeing her as a favourite for that year's Australian Open.

Covid affected her in the back end of 2022 after sealing her sixth title before she abruptly ended her season after Tallinn following the back injury.

She started the 2023 season in poor form and said back in March that she will never fully recover from her back injury.

Since then, her clay court form saw her lose early to Karolina Muchova in Madrid, Liudmila Samsonova in Rome after a rare win over Alycia Parks before being defeated by Bernarda Pera in Paris.

"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," said Kontaveit on Instagram.

"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."