World No. 1
Iga Swiatek commented on
Anett Kontaveit's recent retirement from the WTA tour.
A few weeks
ago, Estonian player Anett Kontaveit announced her definitive retirement from
professional tennis, less than a year after reaching her career-best ranking as
world No. 2 in 2022.
At 27 years
old, she decided to step away from the professional circuit due to ongoing back
issues that have been hindering her ability to play regularly. The persistent
injury prevented Kontaveit from continuing her career as a professional
athlete, and
Wimbledon became her final competition.
In the
singles draw, she defeated Luiza Stefanini in the first round, but then
suffered a comprehensive loss to Czech player Marie Bouzkova in the second
round, marking her last match.
In regard
to Kontaveit's situation, Iga Swiatek shared her thoughts on the Estonian's
career ending. The two players faced each other five times, with Kontaveit
securing two victories and Swiatek claiming three wins.
“I didn't
know Anett was planning to retire. However, she knew that she had been
struggling with health problems for some time,” Swiatek said.
“Anett is a
great person, we trained together many times. She was able to treat other
players as people & not only all the time as rivals, like a threat. She
brought a good atmosphere to the tour,” 4-time Grand Slam champion added.
Kontaveit's
retirement came as a surprise to both spectators and fellow athletes on the WTA
tour. According to the runner-up of the 2021 WTA Finals, after her last match
at Wimbledon, she received appreciation and support from her colleagues.
“Everyone's
been really nice and said some really nice and kind words, wishing me luck for
the next chapters. It's been very heartwarming and I appreciate that they're
all so nice and supportive about it.
I think I
was a pretty social person, and so I'm really glad that there are so many girls
who care about me, who I get along with, and who really wish me well,” Kontaveit said.