🔗 Share this article

The nation's leading female tennis athlete has opted to take a break for the remainder of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the change for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Other reasons involved the continued challenge of being away from her relatives and the demanding competition calendar.

“I've been far from fine for a long time and, to be frank, my on-court achievements show it,” she wrote on digital platforms.

She added, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I need a break. A break from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the travel, the outcomes, the expectations, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this career.”

Individual Challenges and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can manage and take as an individual woman, all whilst battling the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. But, I know I am strong and will improve by stepping back, recharging, recalibrating and renewing. It's time I heeded my own needs for a difference, my brain, my emotions and my body.”

She chose to switch citizenship after exiting Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the country's policies affecting the queer community and the conflict in Ukraine. Originally based in Dubai, she settled in Melbourne and secured long-term status in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who secured a silver medal for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her native Estonia.

She further mentioned she has been unable to visit her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, the player had finished the recent years among the world's best but is presently outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to fall from the elite rankings by the time the Australian Open begins.

The professional athlete stated she will return in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her domestic major likely serving as a return target.

Broader Implications

Australia's second-ranked player is Maya Joint, holding the 35th position.

Kasatkina is the latest elite athlete to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The WTA requires top competitors to compete in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete commented in the past, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the itinerary. It's possible I will have to choose some events and omit them, although they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just consider what's beneficial for us.”