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The nation's top-ranked women's tennis player has opted to take a break for the remainder of the current year, explaining she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Decision

The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the change for contributing to immense “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being distant from her loved ones and the demanding competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my match outcomes and showings demonstrate it,” she shared on her online accounts.

She added, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A break from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the outcomes, the pressure, the familiar opponents (sorry, girls), all aspects of this life.”

Individual Challenges and Future Hopes

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

“Should this be seen as weakness, then I accept it, I'm weak. However, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, refreshing, reorganizing and revitalizing. The moment has come I listened to myself for a difference, my thoughts, my emotions and my physical self.”

Kasatkina opted to alter allegiance after leaving her nation due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she settled in her new home and became a permanent resident in early this year.

She then announced her engagement to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a second-place finish for Russia at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her home country of Estonia.

She additionally shared she has not seen her dad, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, Kasatkina had finished the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is now 19th after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is expected to fall from the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam begins.

The 28-year-old confirmed she plans to come back in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam expected to be a return target.

Wider Context

The nation's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, placed 35th in the world.

Kasatkina is the third top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA obligates leading players to participate in a minimum of 20 events, encompassing the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek remarked in the past, “There's no way to squeeze it in the calendar. Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just focus on what's good for us.”