🔗 Share this article Professional Player Daria Kasatkina Finishes Season Early, Pointing to Mental Fatigue Ranked 19th globally the tennis professional stated she is at her "limit" and has decided to conclude her tennis season ahead of schedule, characterizing the intense calendar as "too much, mentally and emotionally." The 28-year-old athlete changed her nationality from the Russian Federation to Australia in March, following voiced concerns regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ laws and the war in the Ukrainian region. She struggled for form this year, failing to secure a title and finishing with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses. The athlete attributed the mental strain from her change of citizenship as a significant factor to her challenges, which included not seeing her parent for several years. She wrote in a detailed post: "I've been far from fine for quite a while and, truth be told, my on-court showings show that." "I have reached my limit and sadly I am in the same boat as others," she added. "Add in the situation the emotional and mental stress related to my citizenship change and there is only so much I can manage and take as an single person." "If this makes me fragile, then I accept it, I am not strong enough," she remarked. "However, I believe I am resilient and will get stronger by taking a break and restoring my energy." "The moment has come I listened to my own needs for once." Other Players Also Ending Their Years Early Ex-elite competitors Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa similarly ended their seasons ahead of time in recent weeks. The Ukrainian star stated she had "not felt her usual self", while Badosa has spoken about the psychological impact of an ongoing back problem. Additional athletes have voiced concerns about the effect of the tour schedule. Five players retired due to injury in a pair of events in the Chinese tournaments last week, with multiple major winner Iga Swiatek commenting the competitive year is "too long and intense." Tour Regulations and Player Issues The WTA requires for top players to compete in each Grand Slam, 10 WTA 1000 events and six secondary competitions. The majority of premier tournaments on the women's and men's circuits last a fortnight, as do each of the Grand Slams. Competitors can skip required tournaments if they are injured or have private matters, but they will receive no rankings points or financial rewards if they do not play. Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his tournament appearances in recent years to preserve his health, has urged fellow professionals to be better aligned in advocating for reforms.