Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Reveals Temporary Pause Citing ‘Mental Stress’

Australia's leading women's tennis player has decided to take a break for the remainder of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Causes of the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the change for contributing to immense “mental and emotional stress.”

Additional factors included the ongoing difficulty of being separated from her family and the relentless competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my on-court achievements show it,” she wrote on social media.

She stated, “Truth is, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I require time off. A pause from the repetitive routine of life on the tour, the constant packing, the results, the expectations, the familiar opponents (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

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

“Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, it's true. That said, I believe in my strength and will improve by being away, refreshing, recalibrating and renewing. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my thoughts, my feelings and my physical self.”

Kasatkina opted to alter nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and obtained permanent residency in March.

She later got engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who won a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her native Estonia.

She additionally shared she has not seen her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for several years.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, the player had ended the previous four seasons among the world's best but is now 19th after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

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

The professional athlete announced she will return in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Broader Implications

The nation's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the third leading female player to cut short their year, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body obligates leading players to appear at a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek stated in the past, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the calendar. It's possible I will have to pick some events and skip them, despite the fact that they are required.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just think what's good for us.”