🔗 Share this article

The nation's top-ranked female tennis athlete has decided to take a break until the end of the current year, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the change for contributing to immense “emotional and mental pressure.”

Other reasons involved the continued challenge of being away from her loved ones and the demanding tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, truth be told, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She stated, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I require time off. A break from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the scores, the stress, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this life.”

Private Difficulties and Return Plans

“There's only so much I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will grow by stepping back, resting, recalibrating and revitalizing. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a difference, my brain, my feelings and my physical self.”

Kasatkina decided to change nationality after leaving her nation due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the government's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she relocated to her new home and secured long-term status in March.

She later got engaged to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who won a Olympic silver for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her native Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has been unable to visit her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, Kasatkina had ended the previous four seasons among the world's best but is presently 19th after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is projected to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The professional athlete announced she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a return target.

Broader Implications

Australia's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body obligates top competitors to appear at a required schedule, featuring the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor the Polish star remarked in the past, “It's not feasible to fit it all in the schedule. It's possible I will have to choose some competitions and skip them, although they are required.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just consider what's healthy for us.”