Kontaveit says farewell to tennis in Tallinn exhibition with Jabeur

Over the weekend, a sold-out crowd bid farewell to tennis star Anett Kontaveit at the Tondiraba Ice Hall in Tallinn, leaving an emotional atmosphere of gratitude and admiration.

The former World No.2, who retired from tennis due to a degenerative back injury, hosted a special exhibition match with her good friend Ons Jabeur, drawing an electrifying response from the audience as they engaged in a spirited battle on the court. The match, officiated by WTA chair umpire Kader Nouni of France, ended with Jabeur’s victory, but it was Kontaveit’s parting words to her supporters that truly captured the essence of the occasion.

Addressing the crowd, Kontaveit expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming show of support and stated, “It is an honor to be here in front of such a large crowd and to compete against Ons, who is a terrific tennis player and a fantastic person.”

With a prolific career that saw her achieve the highest WTA ranking in Estonian history, Kontaveit’s legacy extends beyond her impressive record to the profound impact she has made on the sport. Reflecting on her journey, she commented, “I feel like I’ve done something really right in my life since I’ve been able to bring such an audience here.”

Kontaveit’s decision to hold the exhibition match shortly after her retirement was a heartfelt gesture, with her choosing Jabeur as her first opponent for this special occasion. Jabeur, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, playfully encouraged Kontaveit to consider returning to the professional circuit, highlighting the mutual respect and lighthearted camaraderie between the two tennis stars.