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The nation's leading female tennis athlete has chosen to pause her career until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental limit.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to immense “psychological pressure.”

Additional factors involved the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the relentless circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, to be frank, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she posted on digital platforms.

She continued, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A break from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the suitcases, the scores, the stress, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this career.”

Personal Struggles and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can endure and take as an individual woman, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.”

“If people consider this a flaw, then so be it, I am fragile. But, I believe in my strength and will grow by taking time off, recharging, regrouping and renewing. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a difference, my mind, my feelings and my body.”

Kasatkina chose to switch nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having previously criticized the country's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she relocated to her new home and secured long-term status in March.

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

She also revealed she has not seen her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Professional Background

A major tournament contender in 2022, she had finished the last four calendar years among the world's best but is presently outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is likely to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open begins.

The 28-year-old confirmed she aims to resume in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the build-up to her domestic major likely serving as a comeback goal.

Broader Implications

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

Kasatkina is the third elite athlete to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a notable increase of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates top competitors to compete in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and additional WTA events.

But elite competitor a leading athlete remarked last month, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the calendar. It's possible I will have to pick some tournaments and omit them, even though they are mandatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just focus on what's good for us.”