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Australia's leading female tennis athlete has chosen to pause her career for the remainder of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the change for contributing to significant “emotional and mental stress.”

Further contributors consisted of the continued challenge of being distant from her loved ones and the relentless tour schedule.

“I've been far from fine for a long time and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she shared on social media.

She added, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I need a break. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the results, the stress, the same faces (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this life.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. That said, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by taking time off, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a shift, my thoughts, my heart and my body.”

The athlete decided to change citizenship after departing Russia due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the conflict in Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she moved to her new home and secured long-term status in March.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a silver medal for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her home country of Estonia.

She additionally shared she has been separated from her dad, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, she had concluded the last four calendar years among the world's best but is now 19th after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to drop out of the top 20 by the time the home major begins.

The tennis veteran announced she will return in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam probably acting as a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the third elite athlete to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The WTA mandates leading players to participate in a required schedule, featuring the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

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

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