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The nation's highest-rated female tennis athlete has opted to pause her career for the remainder of the current year, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to immense “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors included the continued challenge of being separated from her family and the demanding circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, to be frank, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she shared on her online accounts.

She added, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A break from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this life.”

Personal Struggles and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the best female athletes in the world.”

“If people consider this a flaw, then I accept it, I am fragile. That said, I believe in my strength and will grow by stepping back, recharging, recalibrating and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a shift, my mind, my heart and my health.”

The athlete chose to switch nationality after leaving her home country due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she moved to Australia and became a permanent resident in the spring.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been unable to visit her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in the past, the player had concluded the recent years ranked in the top ten but is now ranked 19th after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is likely to drop out of the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam arrives.

The tennis veteran announced she will return in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Broader Implications

Australia's current No. 2 is a rising star, ranked 35th globally.

The Australian No. 1 is the third top WTA competitor to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The WTA mandates top competitors to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

But world No. 2 the Polish star stated in the past, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the calendar. It's possible I will have to select some tournaments and skip them, even though they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the rules and just think what's healthy for us.”