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The nation's highest-rated women's tennis player has opted to take a break until the end of the tennis calendar, stating she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the move for contributing to considerable “emotional and mental strain.”

Other reasons involved the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the relentless circuit routine.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, to be frank, my on-court achievements show it,” she shared on digital platforms.

She stated, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I need a break. A rest from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the travel, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this life.”

Individual Challenges and Future Hopes

“There's only so much I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I am fragile. That said, I know I am strong and will grow by taking time off, recharging, recalibrating and renewing. Now is the moment I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my mind, my feelings and my health.”

She decided to change citizenship after departing her nation due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she moved to Melbourne and secured long-term status in early this year.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who won a silver medal for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her native Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has been separated from her parent, who stayed behind in Russia, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A major tournament contender in the past, the player had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is presently 19th after a challenging season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is projected to fall from the top 20 by the time the home major begins.

The 28-year-old confirmed she aims to resume in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam likely serving as a comeback goal.

Wider Context

Australia's current No. 2 is a rising star, holding the 35th position.

Kasatkina is the most recent elite athlete to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body obligates leading players to compete in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the major tournaments, premier tour stops, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, despite the fact that they are required.

“We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”