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Australia's leading female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career for the remainder of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the transition for contributing to significant “emotional and mental pressure.”

Additional factors included the continued challenge of being separated from her loved ones and the grueling competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, truth be told, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she posted on social media.

She added, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I need a break. A break from the repetitive routine of life on the tour, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this career.”

Individual Challenges and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can endure and cope with as a person, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will improve by taking time off, refreshing, recalibrating and renewing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a change, my brain, my heart and my health.”

Kasatkina decided to change allegiance after departing Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the government's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she moved to Australia and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

The tennis star additionally shared she has been unable to visit her dad, who remains in Russia, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, she had concluded the previous four seasons in the elite group but is currently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the home major begins.

The 28-year-old stated she plans to come back in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam likely serving as a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

She is the most recent elite athlete to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association requires top competitors to compete in a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.

But top-ranked player the Polish star remarked in the past, “It's not feasible to fit it all in the calendar. Perhaps I will have to select some tournaments and omit them, even though they are required.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the rules and just consider what's beneficial for us.”