🔗 Share this article

The nation's highest-rated WTA competitor has decided to step away for the remainder of the tennis calendar, stating she is at her “mental and emotional breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the transition for contributing to significant “mental and emotional strain.”

Additional factors involved the continued challenge of being separated from her relatives and the demanding tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements show it,” she wrote on social media.

She continued, “The reality is, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I need a break. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the travel, the outcomes, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this life.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“I can only handle I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the leading players in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then so be it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by stepping back, recharging, recalibrating and reenergising. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a shift, my mind, my feelings and my health.”

She chose to switch nationality after departing her home country due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the conflict in Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she settled in Melbourne and became a permanent resident in the spring.

She then announced her engagement to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has not seen her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, Kasatkina had concluded the previous four seasons in the elite group but is currently ranked 19th after a challenging season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is projected to fall from the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The professional athlete stated she aims to resume in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her domestic major probably acting as a comeback goal.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.

She is the third top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association requires leading players to participate in a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked in the past, “It's just impossible to accommodate everything the calendar. Perhaps I will have to choose some tournaments and miss them, although they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just focus on what's good for us.”