Anett Kontaveit announces split from coach after reaching career-high ranking
Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit has announced that she is parting way with Russian coach Dimitry Tursunov.
Kontaveit and the former ATP World No 20 issued parallel statements on social media confirming the split.
The decision comes as Kontaveit has just reached a career-high ranking of World No 2.
Earlier this year, Kontaveit stretched her indoor winning streak to 20 matches as she claimed the St Petersburg title and although things haven’t gone her way in recent weeks she has enjoyed quite the run in the last 12 months.
Kontaveit wrote on Twitter: “Hi Everyone,
“I’d like to thank Dimitry Tursunov on a very successful time together.
“Along the way we enjoyed a number of big wins.
“Moving forward, we have mutually agreed to go our separate ways.
“I wish him nothing but the best!”
Tursunov lamented the end of the working relationship but wished Kontaveit good fortune in her future endeavours.
He wrote: “I’d like to announce that Anett and I will not continue the partnership.
“I would like to thank Anett for the opportunity, congratulate on her career high ranking and wish her the best of luck onward.
“Feel proud of the work I put in and a bit sad but sometimes good things must come to an end.
“Thank you once again and best of luck.”
Kontaveit has enjoyed quite the upswing under the guidance of Tursunov winning five WTA Tour titles while he was her coach.
Tursunov’s previous coaching experience came guiding Russian Elena Vesnina and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka worked with Tursonov during her maiden full season on the WTA Tour when she was awarded with the Newcomer of the Year gong.
Since losing to Iga Swiatek in the Qatar Open final, Kontaveit has struggled to build any sort of momentum winning just three of her last nine matches.
She played only a limited part in the clay court swing and looked underprepared in her French Open first round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic.
Her winning streak on indoor hard courts is still active with Kontaveit set to try and extend it at her home event, the Tallinn Open, in September.
It is unclear who will be Kontaveit’s coach going forward.