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Australia's top-ranked women's tennis player has chosen to pause her career until the end of the current year, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

The tennis professional, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, credited the change for contributing to significant “psychological strain.”

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

“I've been far from fine for a considerable period and, truth be told, my results and performances show it,” she posted on her online accounts.

She stated, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A break from the monotonous daily grind of professional tennis, the travel, the scores, the expectations, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), each element involved in this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can deal with and cope with as a person, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I'm weak. However, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by being away, resting, recalibrating and revitalizing. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a difference, my thoughts, my feelings and my health.”

Kasatkina decided to change nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she settled in Australia and became a permanent resident in the spring.

She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a silver medal for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

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

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, the player had finished the last four calendar years in the elite group but is now 19th after a mixed season where she had a near-even record.

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

The professional athlete confirmed she will return in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her domestic major expected to be a return target.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the most recent leading female player to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body obligates top competitors to participate in a minimum of 20 events, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But world No. 2 Iga Swiatek stated in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. Maybe I will have to select some events and omit them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the regulations and just think what's healthy for us.”