🔗 Share this article Australian Tennis Star Kasatkina Declares Season Hiatus Over ‘Mental Stress’ The nation's top-ranked female tennis athlete has chosen to take a break until the end of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.” Causes of the Announcement The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, blamed the change for contributing to immense “mental and emotional stress.” Further contributors involved the continued challenge of being separated from her relatives and the grueling competition calendar. “I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, to be frank, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she wrote on social media. She continued, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A break from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the travel, the scores, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this life.” Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals “There's only so much I can manage and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the leading players in the world.” “If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I am fragile. But, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, resting, recalibrating and renewing. It's time I listened to myself for a shift, my thoughts, my feelings and my physical self.” The athlete opted to alter nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. Originally based in Dubai, she settled in Melbourne and secured long-term status in the spring. She then announced her engagement to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who won a second-place finish for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her home country of Estonia. The tennis star additionally shared she has been unable to visit her parent, who remains in Russia, for several years. Tennis Journey A Roland Garros final four competitor in the past, Kasatkina had finished the last four calendar years among the world's best but is presently outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats. She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the home major begins. The tennis veteran confirmed she aims to resume in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam expected to be a comeback goal. Wider Context The nation's second-ranked player is a rising star, placed 35th in the world. Kasatkina is the third elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game. The Women's Tennis Association mandates top competitors to appear at a required schedule, including the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and additional WTA events. But top-ranked player a leading athlete commented last month, “It's just impossible to accommodate everything the itinerary. It's possible I will have to select some events and omit them, although they are mandatory. “We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just think what's beneficial for us.”