🔗 Share this article Daria Kasatkina Announces Temporary Pause Due to ‘Emotional Strain’ Australia's leading women's tennis player has chosen to step away throughout the rest of the current year, explaining she is at her “mental and emotional breaking point.” Causes of the Choice The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to immense “emotional and mental strain.” Additional factors included the continued challenge of being away from her family and the demanding circuit routine. “I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings show it,” she wrote on her online accounts. She added, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A break from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the travel, the outcomes, the stress, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this career.” Individual Challenges and Future Hopes “There's only so much I can deal with and cope with as a person, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.” “Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. But, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by being away, refreshing, reorganizing and revitalizing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my emotions and my physical self.” Kasatkina chose to switch nationality after leaving her nation due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the government's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she relocated to Australia and secured long-term status in the spring. She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a Olympic silver for her birth country at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia. Kasatkina also revealed she has been separated from her father, who remains in Russia, for four years. Career Context A French Open semi-finalist in the past, she had finished the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is currently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she had a near-even record. She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam takes place. The 28-year-old confirmed she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the preparation for her home grand slam likely serving as a key objective. Broader Implications Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally. The Australian No. 1 is the most recent top WTA competitor to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of athletes withdrawing during competitions. The WTA obligates elite athletes to compete in a set number of tournaments, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches. But world No. 2 the Polish star stated in the past, “There's no way to accommodate everything the itinerary. Perhaps I will have to select some tournaments and skip them, even though they are required. “We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”