As WTA witnesses the rise of young tennis players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina, it is also witnessing some heartbreaking goodbyes. Serena Williams bid the sport farewell after giving her all to the sport. However, her 2022 US Open second-round opponent, Anett Kontaveit, who is just 27 years old, has announced her retirement due to her consistent back issues. However, all is not lost for the former world no. 2.

The Estonian tennis player is paving a way for herself after she bids farewell to tennis. Following a passion that is close to her heart, she wishes to take it easy with this new phase of her life.

2022 US Open opponent of Serena Williams, Anett Kontaveit, opens up about her plans after retirement

The 27-year-old Estonian player, unfortunately, has to bid the sport farewell because of recurring back issues. Being a former world no. 2 player, Anett Kontaveit confessed how difficult it is for her to take things easy.

However, after her retirement, she hopes to do that and tread her passion with ease. In an interview with iNews, she stated, “I’m studying psychology. I’ve done that for three years now.” She plans to go head-on to pursue this passion of hers. Kontaveit added, “I have a few more years to go. So I’m gonna put the load on little bit, do that more intensively.”

Furthermore, she also talked about how she is planning to focus on her recovery. She said, “I’m just really looking forward to being able to be at home. I think it’s important for me to learn how to relax a little bit.” Talking about her perfectionist attitude, she added, “I think I’m very much I do one thing 100 percent and then I do another thing 100 percent.” 

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After facing a second-round loss against Serena Williams at last year’s US Open, Kontaveit got emotional at realizing how her back issues are hindering her performance.

New goals and aspirations of Kontaveit

After a difficult 2022 season, she decided to announce her farewell to the sport after playing her last tournament at Wimbledon. This undoubtedly is going to be an emotional major for the former world no. 2. However, she is planning to begin the new phase of her life with a new goal in her life.

Concluding with her new goal, she said, “It’s very hard for me to just take easy, very difficult so I’m gonna hopefully learn a little bit.” 

Kontaveit will face-off against 111th-ranked Lucrezia Stefanini in the first round at Wimbledon. Do you think Kontaveit can push herself to have a few more moments of glory before retiring at Wimbledon? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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