Arabella Koller ended her professional tennis career on Tuesday, November 11, 2026, citing persistent physical ailments that rendered her body unable to sustain the demands of the international tour.
The 26-year-old Austrian player from Großgmain announced her departure from the WTA circuit in an emotional message on Instagram, pointing to months of health struggles following a severe food poisoning incident, subsequent gastritis, and lingering knee calcification, salzburg24 reported.
Already in the junior classes, Koller celebrated international successes and secured national titles, later crowning herself a two-time Austrian national champion in the adult division.
Despite battling discomfort over the summer, she captured the runner-up spot at the Austrian national championships.
“Seit ich denken kann, war Tennis mein ganzes Leben. Es hat mich geprägt, mich herausgefordert und mir Erinnerungen, Lehren und Erfahrungen geschenkt, die ich für immer bei mir tragen werde.”
Arabella Koller”
“In ihrer Laufbahn hat es unglaubliche Höhen, schwere Tiefen, Entbehrungen und Momente, von denen ich einst nur träumen konnte, gegeben. Tennis hat es mir ermöglicht, die Welt zu bereisen, so viele verschiedene Orte zu entdecken und – was am wichtigsten ist – weltweite Freundschaften zu schließen, die ich für immer schätzen werde.”
Arabella Koller”
“I was out of action for months due to a stubborn gastritis following a severe food poisoning, and afterwards a painful calcification in my knee caused trouble,” Koller told salzburg24 on Wednesday, November 12, 2026. “I invested a lot in the comeback, but never got properly fit again. My body just wouldn’t cooperate anymore.”
A tendon injury compounded her knee troubles, keeping her sidelined for nearly a full year and proving that the joint could no longer handle professional loads, Heute reported.
“I was injured for almost a whole year and you noticed that the knee could no longer bear the load like that,” Koller explained to the Krone, as Heute reported. “The joy of the sport was lost as a result. It simply wasn’t fun anymore and I am very fine with how I decided now.”
“The decision to withdraw from professional tennis was not easy for me, but it feels right,” Koller said, LAOLA1 reported. “A part of me will always belong to this court, but I close this chapter with a fulfilled heart, endless gratitude, and a wide smile.”
While international tournaments are in her past, Koller intends to maintain her presence in domestic team competition. She plans to represent UTC Ried in the Austrian Tennis Bundesliga.
Her move to the Upper Austrian club stems from a lack of competitive infrastructure in her home region. “With us, there is currently no team,” Koller told salzburg24. “While plans are talked about again and again, there is currently nothing concrete.”
After taking a brief period to unwind at home after years of living out of a suitcase, Koller plans to complete her coaching certification and pursue a career as a tennis instructor. On Wednesday, November 12, 2026, salzburg24 said that she reached her career-best WTA singles ranking of No. 548 in July 2025.
“Es gab unglaubliche Höhen, Tiefen, Opfer und Momente, von denen ich einst nur geträumt habe.”
Arabella Koller”
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