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Australia's highest-rated women's tennis player has opted to pause her career until the end of the current year, explaining she is at her “psychological and emotional limit.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the move for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Other reasons involved the continued challenge of being away from her relatives and the relentless tour schedule.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, honestly speaking, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She stated, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the results, the expectations, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, resting, reorganizing and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a shift, my brain, my feelings and my health.”

The athlete opted to alter allegiance after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the government's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she moved to her new home and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who won a second-place finish for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.

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

Professional Background

A Roland Garros final four competitor in recent years, Kasatkina had finished the previous four seasons among the world's best but is now outside the top 15 after a challenging 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 arrives.

The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam likely serving as a comeback goal.

Broader Implications

Australia's second-ranked player is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the most recent leading female player to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The WTA requires top competitors to appear at a set number of tournaments, encompassing the four grand slams, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor a leading athlete commented in the past, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to select some events and omit them, although they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the rules and just think what's good for us.”