Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Reveals Season Hiatus Due to ‘Psychological Pressure’

The nation's leading female tennis athlete has opted to take a break until the end of the current year, stating she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the change for contributing to significant “psychological pressure.”

Additional factors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being away from her loved ones and the demanding tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a extended duration and, to be frank, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she shared on digital platforms.

She continued, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the suitcases, the results, the stress, the same faces (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“There's only so much I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, it's true. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by being away, refreshing, regrouping and revitalizing. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a change, my brain, my heart and my health.”

She chose to switch allegiance after leaving her home country due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the conflict in Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she settled in Australia and obtained permanent residency in the spring.

She subsequently became engaged to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has been separated from her father, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Tennis Journey

A major tournament contender in the past, she had ended the recent years in the elite group but is presently outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is projected to exit the top 20 by the time the next Grand Slam arrives.

The professional athlete stated she plans to come back in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam expected to be a key objective.

Industry Impact

Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA requires elite athletes to participate in a required schedule, encompassing the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

But world No. 2 Iga Swiatek commented in the past, “It's not feasible to fit it all in the itinerary. Perhaps I will have to choose some events and omit them, even though they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the regulations and just consider what's good for us.”