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The nation's top-ranked women's tennis player has decided to pause her career for the remainder of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Causes of the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to significant “mental and emotional strain.”

Further contributors involved the persistent struggle of being distant from her loved ones and the grueling competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she shared on social media.

She continued, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the results, the pressure, the same faces (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

“I can only handle I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, it's true. That said, I believe in my strength and will improve by stepping back, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. The moment has come I listened to myself for a change, my thoughts, my emotions and my health.”

The athlete decided to change citizenship after departing Russia due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the nation's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she moved to Australia and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a second-place finish for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her home country of Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has been separated from her father, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, she had finished the recent years in the elite group but is now ranked 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is projected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

The nation's second-ranked player is Maya Joint, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest elite athlete to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body obligates top competitors to participate in a set number of tournaments, encompassing the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 Iga Swiatek commented in the past, “There's no way to squeeze it in the schedule. Maybe I will have to choose some competitions and skip them, even though they are obligatory.

“We have to be smart about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just focus on what's healthy for us.”