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The nation's top-ranked female tennis athlete has opted to step away throughout the rest of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Decision

The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, blamed the transition for contributing to significant “mental and emotional stress.”

Additional factors consisted of the persistent struggle of being away from her family and the grueling circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a extended duration and, truth be told, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she shared on social media.

She stated, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I need a break. A rest from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the constant packing, the results, the stress, the same faces (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

“There's only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. That said, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by being away, recharging, reorganizing and renewing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a difference, my thoughts, my heart and my health.”

The athlete decided to change allegiance after exiting Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she settled in her new home and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who secured a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been separated from her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A major tournament contender in recent years, the player had ended the previous four seasons ranked in the top ten but is presently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is likely to exit the top 20 by the time the Australian Open begins.

The 28-year-old confirmed she will return in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her domestic major expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

Australia's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

She is the most recent top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The Women's Tennis Association obligates leading players to participate in a minimum of 20 events, encompassing the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player a leading athlete commented last month, “There's no way to accommodate everything the schedule. Perhaps I will have to pick some tournaments and skip them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

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