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The nation's top-ranked female tennis athlete has chosen to pause her career until the end of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who earlier switched her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the transition for contributing to significant “emotional and mental strain.”

Additional factors included the continued challenge of being away from her family and the relentless tour schedule.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, truth be told, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she posted on her online accounts.

She added, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A rest from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the constant packing, the results, the stress, the familiar opponents (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this life.”

Private Difficulties and Return Plans

“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 I accept it, I'm weak. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by being away, refreshing, regrouping and renewing. It's time I heeded my own needs for a shift, my mind, my emotions and my body.”

Kasatkina decided to change allegiance after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the country's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she relocated to her new home and obtained permanent residency in March.

She then announced her engagement to partner an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a Olympic silver for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

She further mentioned she has not seen her father, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A major tournament contender in 2022, Kasatkina had concluded the recent years in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she had a near-even record.

She is likely to drop out of the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam arrives.

The 28-year-old announced she aims to resume in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her domestic major probably acting as a comeback goal.

Industry Impact

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the most recent leading female player to withdraw from the tour, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body obligates leading players to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor a leading athlete remarked recently, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. It's possible I will have to select some events and omit them, even though they are obligatory.

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