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Australia's leading women's tennis player has opted to step away until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the change for contributing to immense “psychological strain.”

Additional factors consisted of the persistent struggle of being distant from her relatives and the demanding circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a considerable period and, to be frank, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She added, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the scores, the stress, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can manage and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, I am fragile. However, I believe in my strength and will improve by taking time off, resting, regrouping and revitalizing. It's time I heeded my own needs for a difference, my thoughts, my heart and my body.”

The athlete opted to alter nationality after departing her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she moved to Melbourne and obtained permanent residency in March.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a second-place finish for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

The tennis star additionally shared she has been separated from her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Career Context

A Roland Garros final four competitor in recent years, Kasatkina had finished the recent years in the elite group but is currently ranked 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is likely to fall from the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The 28-year-old announced she will return in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the preparation for her domestic major expected to be a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's current No. 2 is a rising star, placed 35th in the world.

She is the latest top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association obligates top competitors to compete in a set number of tournaments, including the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek remarked recently, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the calendar. Perhaps I will have to pick some tournaments and omit them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the regulations and just focus on what's healthy for us.”