THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2023

Anett Kontaveit

Press Conference

A. KONTAVEIT/L. Stefanini

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Given already this is probably a bit of an emotional tournament for you, knowing that you're going to stop after here, and the rain delays, as well, how did you deal with the last couple days and how pleased are you that you have come through?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Super pleased that I managed to win this. I mean, it was very difficult. Difficult for both of us. I mean, for all the players, waiting for two days is not easy. But there is nothing we can do about rain (smiling).

Yeah, I'm very happy with the way I managed to fight through it, and very pleased with the win.

Q. A lot was kind of made of the court you were put on. Obviously there wasn't much room for people to come and see you in what is going to be your last tournament. What did you make of that? Were you happy with the support and hoping to get a bigger court next round?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I do hope to get a bigger court next time. I was not expecting to play on Centre Court or a huge court anyway. Yeah, it's their decision and nothing I can do about it. Yeah, just deal with whatever comes my way and try to do the best I can.

Q. Is there a sense of disappointment you perhaps were on a court No. 6 and not perhaps Court No. 1 or 2, 3?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I don't feel disappointed right now. I just won my match. So no negative emotions from me at the moment.

Q. Your parents there on court today.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: My mom was there, yeah, some of my closest people.

Q. What does it feel like knowing it's your last tournament in terms of the emotion? Secondly, what plans do you have? Early to retire. What plans do you have for a postretirement career?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: It definitely is emotional, and yeah, it feels a little different. But really excited that I get to play a few more matches here hopefully, and just do my best every time I walk on the court, and that's what I have been doing my whole career. Really want to do that for the one last time.

Post-career, I'm studying psychology. I'm going to continue doing that. Then, yeah, we'll see what the future brings (smiling).

Q. Ons was telling us she really tried to convince you not to retire. Dasha was in here telling us she's so sad you're retiring. Curious when you told your closest friends on tour, and I would assume they probably tried to convince you otherwise. How was that? Like, what were those conversations like? Did you doubt at all when you heard all that from the people close to you on tour?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I mean, it's really sweet that they're trying (smiling). A lot of people tried, I think.

But, I mean, these decisions, because I cannot play without pain pretty much the whole match, so it was something that of course I considered for a very long time. But it was a very difficult decision, and once I decide something big like this, I don't usually start doubting it.

Q. Can you tell us a bit more about the reason for your retirement? The problem with your back, is it something you have had for a long time? Had you been aware of it for several years?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I got the scans end of last year when it started hurting. That's when I knew about it.

Initially I was just trying to do all sorts of different things, trying to take time off, I was also taking -- then I was trying to play again and also taking time off to do exercises for months to strengthen the core and do everything I could. It just took a few matches to start feeling it again, very short matches, as well.

Yeah, I feel like I tried everything I could.

Q. But it was only really last year that you first felt it?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yep, yep.

Q. How is your back this week? Are you feeling any pain or anything?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I have taken a few painkillers today, so managed to get through this match without feeling it too much.

So obviously very happy with that.

Q. I presume you might be a subject of Netflix with the camera crew. Are they documenting your final days of your career?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think so. Are you guys doing that? (Laughter.)

Q. Is there stuff you're going to reveal what it's been like? Will that reveal the full truth of the final days of your career?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Full truth, I don't think there's something that intriguing. (Laughter.)

Q. You said you were studying psychology. Given it must not be easy knowing you're ending your career not on your own terms because of an injury, has what you have been studying helped you at all?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think it's helped me get to know myself a little bit better, but I don't think it's made some huge, drastic changes.

But yeah, I really enjoy studying and I really am very interested in psychology so hopefully in the future as I learn more and more about it, it's going to help me more and more.