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Australia's highest-rated women's tennis player has chosen to step away until the end of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “mental and emotional breaking point.”

Causes of the Choice

The tennis professional, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the move for contributing to significant “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors involved the ongoing difficulty of being separated from her family and the demanding competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, to be frank, my results and performances show it,” she shared on social media.

She added, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I require time off. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the constant packing, the scores, the pressure, the familiar opponents (apologies, ladies), each element involved in this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

“I can only handle 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 so be it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will grow by taking time off, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. Now is the moment I paid attention to my instincts for a shift, my mind, my heart and my body.”

She decided to change citizenship after exiting her nation due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she settled in Melbourne and secured long-term status in early this year.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who won a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been separated from her father, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Career Context

A major tournament contender in the past, she had concluded the last four calendar years in the elite group but is currently ranked 19th after a challenging season where she had a near-even record.

She is likely to fall from the elite rankings by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The 28-year-old confirmed she aims to resume in the following season, “recharged and motivated,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam likely serving as a key objective.

Wider Context

Australia's second-ranked player is a rising star, holding the 35th position.

She is the latest elite athlete to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body requires elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor the Polish star commented recently, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the schedule. It's possible I will have to choose some events and omit them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just focus on what's good for us.”