Anett Kontaveit to Mark Tennis Farewell With Final Match in Estonia

| by Alex Waite

Anett Kontaveit has revealed that she will return for one last competitive match in Tallinn to mark her retirement at just 27 years old.

At Wimbledon this season, Kontaveit struggled with her back pain, brought on by a degenerative disc disease, which has hampered her performances recently. Ultimately, the ongoing injury issue led to the Estonian player finishing her playing career prematurely at 27 and she was visibly emotional about the decision when addressing crowds following her defeat against Marie Bouzkova at Wimbledon.

It may not have been the send-off that Kontaveit had wished for, so an alternative goodbye has been arranged in her hometown of Tallinn, Estonia once the 2023 WTA season has concluded later in the year. When speaking to Estonian news outlet ERR about the upcoming retirement match, Kontaveit said she was feeling positive about the event and the occasion.

Disrespectful Farewell: Kontaveit Moved To Court Without Seating At Wimbledon
Disrespectful Farewell: Kontaveit Moved To Court Without Seating At Wimbledon

"I'm just really happy to be able to play in front of my home crowd for the final time and, play tennis, which I have played, practiced and loved for so long, one more time. I'm looking forward to, what I hope will be, a great evening,"

Kontaveit told ERR 

In addition, Kontaveit's opponent for the match, which will take place on November 11, has already been announced. The 27-year-old will face two-time Wimbledon finalist and good friend Ons Jabeur at the Tondiraba Ice Hall.

When reflecting on her choice of opposition for the event, in which Kontaveit will also take part in a 45-minute interview, the former world number two explained that there was not one better than her good friend Jabeur to share the court with one last time.

"She was the very first player I thought of when there was talk of this kind of an event. She was the first choice and luckily she was also positive about it herself,"

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