The 27-year-old was world number two as recently as last year but has suffered a frustrating season, with a second-round exit at the Australian Open in January and a defeat in the opening round at Roland Garros last month.
Kontaveit was forced to retire from her match against Shelby Rogers in Abu Dhabi earlier this year with an injury, one that then kept her out of action for two months, and the Estonian took to social media on Tuesday to reveal she has been forced to call time on her career.
“Today I am announcing that I am ending my career as a competitive athlete,” Kontaveit wrote on Instagram. “After several doctor’s visits and consultations with my medical team, I have been advised that I have lumbar disc degeneration in my back.
“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.”
Kontaveit has six WTA titles to her name, four of those coming in the space of three months in 2021, and she climbed to a career-high second in the world rankings in June last year.
Now ranked 79th, Kontaveit will play her final tournament at Wimbledon, with the action at SW19 getting underway on July 3.
“Tennis has given and taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for that,” she continued. “It has been important to 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.
“I am ready for new challenges after my last effort as a professional tennis player – to enjoy the game and compete as hard as I can at Wimbledon.”