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Six-time WTA Tour winner Anett Kontaveit said Tuesday she will retire after Wimbledon next month because of a degenerative back condition.

A year ago this month, she reached No. 2 in the world. She currently is ranked No. 79.

“After several doctor’s visits and consultations with my medical team, I have been advised that I have lumbar disc degeneration in my back,” the 27-year-old Estonian wrote Tuesday on Instagram. “This does not allow for full-scale training or continued competition. Therefore, it is impossible to continue at the top level in such a highly competitive field.”

Because of the injury, she has been off and on the court since last October, when she ended her season early. He has played in the Grand Slam events this year, losing in the second round at the Australian Open and in the first round at the French Open in May.

“Tennis has given and taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for that,” she said. “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.”

Her most recent win came at St. Petersburg in 2022, following four victories in 2021. She has just more than $8 million in career winnings.

Kontaveit’s best finish at a Grand Slam came in Australia in 2020, where she qualified for the quarterfinals and lost to Simona Halep in straight sets.

–Field Level Media