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The nation's top-ranked women's tennis player has chosen to pause her career throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

The tennis professional, who recently changed her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the change for contributing to considerable “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors involved the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her family and the grueling circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings demonstrate it,” she wrote on social media.

She added, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I require time off. A pause from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the travel, the scores, the stress, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

“There's only so much I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, it's true. That said, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, recharging, regrouping and renewing. It's time I listened to myself for a shift, my brain, my emotions and my physical self.”

She opted to alter citizenship after departing her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she relocated to Melbourne and became a permanent resident in March.

She then announced her engagement to partner Natalia Zabiiako, who won a Olympic silver for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has been unable to visit her parent, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.

Career Context

A major tournament contender in 2022, she had finished the recent years ranked in the top ten but is now outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is projected to fall from the top 20 by the time the next Grand Slam arrives.

The 28-year-old announced she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a return target.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

She is the third elite athlete to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association obligates top competitors to compete in a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete stated last month, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the calendar. Maybe I will have to choose some events and skip them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

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