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Australia's top-ranked female tennis athlete has opted to take a break until the end of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, blamed the move for contributing to significant “psychological strain.”

Further contributors involved the continued challenge of being distant from her family and the demanding competition calendar.

“I've been far from fine for a long time and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she posted 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 monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the travel, the scores, the pressure, the same faces (sorry, girls), each element involved in this career.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

“I can only handle I can endure and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I am fragile. That said, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by stepping back, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a change, my brain, my feelings and my health.”

She opted to alter citizenship after departing her nation due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she moved to Melbourne and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She later got engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a silver medal for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has not seen her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A Roland Garros final four competitor in recent years, the player had concluded the previous four seasons among the world's best but is now ranked 19th after a modest season where she had a near-even record.

She is likely to fall from the leading positions by the time the home major arrives.

The professional athlete confirmed she aims to resume in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a return target.

Industry Impact

Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, placed 35th in the world.

The Australian No. 1 is the most recent elite athlete to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a notable increase of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body requires elite athletes to participate in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the Grand Slam events, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete commented recently, “It's just impossible to accommodate everything the schedule. Maybe I will have to choose some competitions and miss them, even though they are obligatory.

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