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The nation's leading female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career for the remainder of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the change for contributing to considerable “emotional and mental stress.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being distant from her loved ones and the relentless tour schedule.

“My well-being has suffered for a considerable period and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She stated, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I require time off. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the outcomes, the pressure, the familiar opponents (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this career.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

“Each person has a limit I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I'm weak. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, recharging, reorganizing and revitalizing. The moment has come I listened to myself for a difference, my mind, my heart and my body.”

Kasatkina opted to alter nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having previously criticized the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she moved to her new home and secured long-term status in March.

She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a silver medal for her birth country at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has not seen her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, the player had ended the recent years in the elite group but is currently 19th after a challenging season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to drop out of the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The tennis veteran stated she aims to resume in next year, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a return target.

Industry Impact

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

She is the third top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body mandates leading players to appear at a required schedule, including the four grand slams, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and additional WTA events.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the itinerary. Perhaps I will have to choose some competitions and miss them, even though they are required.

“We have to be smart about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just consider what's good for us.”