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Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has decided to take a break throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who this year altered her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the change for contributing to significant “mental and emotional strain.”

Other reasons included the continued challenge of being distant from her loved ones and the relentless tour schedule.

“I've been far from fine for a long time and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements show it,” she posted on social media.

She added, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A pause from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the travel, the outcomes, the expectations, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

“There's only so much I can deal with and cope with as a person, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then I accept it, I am fragile. That said, I believe in my strength and will grow by stepping back, refreshing, recalibrating and renewing. The moment has come I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my emotions and my health.”

Kasatkina opted to alter nationality after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the nation's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she moved to Melbourne and secured long-term status in the spring.

She later got engaged to partner Natalia Zabiiako, who secured a Olympic silver for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her native Estonia.

The tennis star additionally shared she has been unable to visit her parent, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, the player had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now ranked 19th after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The professional athlete stated she aims to resume in next year, “recharged and motivated,” with the build-up to her domestic major expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, placed 35th in the world.

She is the third top WTA competitor to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA obligates leading players to participate in a set number of tournaments, including the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor the Polish star stated last month, “There's no way to accommodate everything the schedule. It's possible I will have to pick some competitions and skip them, although they are required.

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