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The nation's top-ranked WTA competitor has chosen to pause her career until the end of the tennis calendar, stating she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the move for contributing to immense “emotional and mental strain.”

Further contributors involved the continued challenge of being separated from her relatives and the demanding competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, truth be told, my results and performances reflect that,” she shared on digital platforms.

She added, “The reality is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I need a break. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the travel, the outcomes, the pressure, the same faces (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this life.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can endure and take as an individual woman, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. But, I believe in my strength and will grow by stepping back, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a difference, my thoughts, my feelings and my physical self.”

She decided to change allegiance after leaving her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the country's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she relocated to Australia and secured long-term status in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who secured a Olympic silver for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

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

Career Context

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, the player had finished the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is presently 19th after a modest season where she had a near-even record.

She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the Australian Open arrives.

The 28-year-old confirmed she will return in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's next best competitor is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the most recent top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association requires elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, including the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek stated in the past, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the schedule. It's possible I will have to pick some tournaments and omit them, even though they are required.

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