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Australia's leading female tennis athlete has opted to step away throughout the rest of the current year, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Causes of the Decision

The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the move for contributing to significant “emotional and mental stress.”

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

“I've been far from fine for a considerable period and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings demonstrate it,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She stated, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the travel, the outcomes, the pressure, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), all aspects of this career.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

“I can only handle I can manage and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then so be it, it's true. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will get stronger by stepping back, resting, regrouping and revitalizing. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a difference, my mind, my heart and my health.”

Kasatkina opted to alter citizenship after exiting her home country due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the government's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she settled in Australia and became a permanent resident in the spring.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her birth nation Estonia.

She also revealed she has been separated from her father, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, Kasatkina had finished the previous four seasons in the elite group but is presently ranked 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam begins.

The tennis veteran announced she aims to resume in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam likely serving as a key objective.

Wider Context

The nation's second-ranked player is a rising star, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the most recent leading female player to cut short their year, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The tour governing body mandates leading players to appear at a required schedule, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete remarked recently, “It's not feasible to fit it all in the itinerary. It's possible I will have to pick some events and skip them, although they are required.

“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”