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Australia's leading women's tennis player has opted to pause her career for the remainder of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the change for contributing to significant “psychological strain.”

Other reasons included the persistent struggle of being separated from her relatives and the relentless competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she shared on her online accounts.

She continued, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A break from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the constant packing, the results, the expectations, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

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

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I'm weak. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a change, my brain, my feelings and my body.”

The athlete opted to alter nationality after exiting her home country due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the government's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and secured long-term status in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a silver medal for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her home country of Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has not seen her parent, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Career Context

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, the player had concluded the recent years in the elite group but is currently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

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

The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam expected to be a return target.

Industry Impact

Australia's next best competitor is a rising star, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the third elite athlete to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association obligates leading players to appear at a required schedule, featuring the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. Perhaps I will have to pick some competitions and miss them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the regulations and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”