"She was able to treat other players as people": Swiatek lauds Kontaveit on recent retirement, calls her a 'great person'
WTAFriday, 28 July 2023 at 21:30
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.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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