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Australia's leading women's tennis player has opted to take a break until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

The tennis professional, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, blamed the change for contributing to significant “emotional and mental strain.”

Other reasons included the persistent struggle of being away from her family and the grueling tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she wrote on digital platforms.

She stated, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the suitcases, the outcomes, the expectations, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this career.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“I can only handle I can deal with and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I am fragile. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. The moment has come I listened to myself for a change, my brain, my heart and my body.”

Kasatkina chose to switch citizenship after departing her home country due to fears for her security, having previously criticized the country's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she settled in her new home and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She later got engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who won a second-place finish for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her home country of Estonia.

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

Career Context

A Roland Garros final four competitor in recent years, she had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is projected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam arrives.

The tennis veteran confirmed she aims to resume in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam probably acting as a key objective.

Broader Implications

Australia's next best competitor is a rising star, ranked 35th globally.

The Australian No. 1 is the most recent elite athlete to cut short their year, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA requires top competitors to compete in a set number of tournaments, encompassing the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player a leading athlete commented in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the schedule. It's possible I will have to pick some tournaments and skip them, although they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just think what's beneficial for us.”