Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Announces Career Break Due to ‘Mental Stress’
The nation's top-ranked female tennis athlete has chosen to take a break for the remainder of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”
Causes of the Decision
The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, credited the transition for contributing to considerable “psychological pressure.”
Other reasons included the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the demanding competition calendar.
“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings show it,” she wrote on her online accounts.
She added, “The reality is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I require time off. A pause from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the travel, the scores, the expectations, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this life.”
Private Difficulties and Future Hopes
“There's only so much I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”
“Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, I am fragile. That said, I know I am strong and will get stronger by taking time off, recharging, recalibrating and renewing. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a change, my thoughts, my heart and my physical self.”
She decided to change citizenship after departing Russia due to apprehensions about her well-being, having publicly spoken against the government's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she relocated to Australia and became a permanent resident in March.
She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a Olympic silver for Russia at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.
She additionally shared she has not seen her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for four years.
Career Context
A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, Kasatkina had ended the previous four seasons ranked in the top ten but is currently 19th after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21.
She is projected to exit the top 20 by the time the home major takes place.
The tennis veteran announced she plans to come back in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a return target.
Industry Impact
The nation's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.
The Australian No. 1 is the latest elite athlete to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.
The tour governing body obligates elite athletes to participate in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the major tournaments, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.
But elite competitor the Polish star remarked in the past, “There's no way to accommodate everything the schedule. Perhaps I will have to choose some tournaments and omit them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.
“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the guidelines and just consider what's good for us.”
