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Australia's top-ranked women's tennis player has chosen to take a break until the end of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Choice

Daria Kasatkina, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the move for contributing to significant “mental and emotional pressure.”

Other reasons consisted of the persistent struggle of being distant from her family and the grueling competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she wrote on social media.

She continued, “The reality is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the repetitive routine of life on the tour, the travel, the scores, the expectations, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this life.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“I can only handle I can endure and cope with as a person, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, it's true. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, resting, regrouping and renewing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my heart and my physical self.”

The athlete decided to change citizenship after leaving Russia due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she moved to her new home and became a permanent resident in March.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a silver medal for her birth country at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been unable to visit her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for four years.

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, she had concluded 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 likely to fall from the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The tennis veteran announced she will return in next year, “recharged and motivated,” with the preparation for her domestic major expected to be a comeback goal.

Industry Impact

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.

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

The tour governing body requires top competitors to appear at a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor a leading athlete stated last month, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, although they are mandatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just consider what's good for us.”