On Monday, Anett Kontaveit made history by becoming the first Estonian player to break into the top ten. Kontaveit accomplished a number of activities after her arrival in Cluj-Napoca.
Kontaveit defeated top-seeded Simona Halep 6-2 6-3 on Sunday to capture her fourth title of the season.
With her victory over Halep, Kontaveit clinched a spot in the WTA Finals final and a career-high position of No. 7 in the world.
“It’s something that I’ve dreamed about since … I don’t even know. Honestly, when I started playing tennis I didn’t even think I’d make Top 100, then you get Top 100 and you set new goals,” Kontaveit told the WTA Tour.
“Of course it’s been a goal for quite a few years now, but honestly, I don’t even believe it until I see it on Monday.
“It’s been a tremendous effort at the end of the year, playing every week, so many matches. The mental effort, just focusing for each match has definitely been an effort and a half.”
Kontaveit has been outstanding
Kontaveit was on a five-match losing streak in June and August. She has won four titles and only lost two matches since then.
She began working with coach Dmitry Tursunov in August.
Kontaveit lost her first match against Tursunov, but then went on to play the best tennis of her life.
“Oh, no. No, no, no, absolutely not. Honestly, after losing to Ons in Cincy, I was just hoping to just win a few matches,” Kontaveit claimed.
“I definitely didn’t think ahead too much. You can plan so many things but life has other plans.
“So I’ve really been living in the moment and taking each match as they come and really having a great time on court, actually, which is strange to say.”
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