Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Announces Season Hiatus Over ‘Mental Stress’
Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career throughout the rest of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”
Reasons Behind the Decision
The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the move for contributing to immense “emotional and mental pressure.”
Additional factors involved the continued challenge of being distant from her loved ones and the grueling competition calendar.
“I've been far from fine for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances reflect that,” she wrote on digital platforms.
She continued, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I require time off. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this life.”
Private Difficulties and Future Hopes
“I can only handle I can endure and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”
“If people consider this a flaw, then I accept it, I am fragile. However, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by being away, recharging, reorganizing and revitalizing. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a shift, my thoughts, my emotions and my health.”
Kasatkina chose to switch allegiance after departing Russia due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the government's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she settled in Melbourne and obtained permanent residency in March.
She subsequently became engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a silver medal for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her home country of Estonia.
The tennis star also revealed she has been unable to visit her father, who remains in Russia, for several years.
Tennis Journey
A French Open semi-finalist in the past, she had concluded the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now 19th after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.
She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the Australian Open begins.
The tennis veteran confirmed she plans to come back in the following season, “recharged and motivated,” with the preparation for her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.
Wider Context
Australia's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.
She is the most recent top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.
The WTA obligates leading players to compete in a minimum of 20 events, encompassing the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.
But world No. 2 Iga Swiatek stated recently, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. Maybe I will have to pick some events and skip 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.”