Anett Kontaveit estimates she will need up to a month to get back into shape after crashing out of Wimbledon which she partly links to her ongoing recovery from COVID-19.
The second seed managed to win only four games during her shock 6-4, 6-0, loss to Germany’s Jule Niemeier. Making it the third consecutive Grand Slam this year where she has failed to win back-to-back matches. During her 59-minute defeat, the world No.2 hit a total of 24 unforced errors and managed to win just over 50% of her service points.
“It was hard for me to control her big shots because I haven’t had the opportunity to prepare as well as I would have liked to,” Kontaveit said during her press conference.
“It was just tough out there. She played a really good match, and that’s about it.”
Kontaveit’s latest woe comes amid her ongoing battle with recovering from COVID-19 which she first contracted roughly two months ago. She says the repercussions of the virus have left her dealing with fatigue which has impacted her training routines.
In hindsight, the Estonian admits that she might have made a mistake by returning to the Tour quicker than she should have. Whilst COVID-19 is highly contagious, the effect it can have can differ between each person. A majority of people recover within a couple of weeks of having the virus.
“I tried to come back very quickly. I started training. It was low intensity, but I was still training every day. I think that was where I went wrong. Just thinking back on it, I probably should have given myself more time to recover.” Kontaveit explained.
“At the French (Open), I really struggled. I had really big energy dips, and I was tired all the time. It was tough to wake up. I slept a lot all the time.”
Opting to take a break after Roland Garros, the 26-year-old didn’t return to ‘light’ training until 10 days before Wimbledon. Although she felt enough progress was being made to justify her playing at the grass-court major.
Kontaveit’s ongoing struggles sound like she has a form of long Covid. However, she explains that such a diagnosis can’t be made just yet.
“They (the doctors) said it’s too soon to diagnose me with long COVID, but I have been to loads of doctors and been checked,” she replied when asked. “There is nothing physically wrong with my heart or lungs or anything.”
“I think I’m going to try and increase the training load as my energy feels better, too.”
Returning to the practice courts in a bid to regain her form, Kontaveit is upbeat that she will be ready in time for the North American hardcourt swing.
“I think three, four weeks of good training will help me get back in decent shape,” she concludes.
Kontaveit hasn’t won back-to-back matches in five out of her past six tournaments played.
