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Australia's highest-rated women's tennis player has chosen to take a break throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Causes of the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to immense “emotional and mental stress.”

Further contributors involved the persistent struggle of being separated from her family and the demanding circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my results and performances reflect that,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She continued, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I need a break. A rest from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the suitcases, the results, the expectations, the same faces (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this life.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

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

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. But, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by being away, resting, regrouping and renewing. It's time I heeded my own needs for a difference, my thoughts, my heart and my physical self.”

The athlete chose to switch citizenship after departing her home country due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she moved to her new home and became a permanent resident in early this year.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a silver medal for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina further mentioned she has been separated from her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, she had ended the previous four seasons ranked in the top ten but is currently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is likely to exit the top 20 by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The tennis veteran announced she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a return target.

Wider Context

Australia's next best competitor is Maya Joint, placed 35th in the world.

She is the most recent elite athlete to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of competitors stopping mid-game.

The Women's Tennis Association obligates top competitors to appear at a minimum of 20 events, including the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek commented in the past, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. It's possible I will have to choose some tournaments and omit them, although they are required.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just focus on what's good for us.”