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Australia's leading WTA competitor has chosen to pause her career until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional limit.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

The tennis professional, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to significant “emotional and mental stress.”

Further contributors included the continued challenge of being separated from her loved ones and the relentless competition calendar.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she posted on her online accounts.

She continued, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the outcomes, the stress, the same faces (sorry, girls), all aspects of this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“I can only handle I can endure and take as an individual woman, all whilst facing off against the best female athletes in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, it's true. That said, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by taking time off, resting, reorganizing and renewing. It's time I listened to myself for a shift, my brain, my emotions and my physical self.”

She chose to switch nationality after departing her nation due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she moved to Australia and obtained permanent residency in the spring.

She then announced her engagement to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a second-place finish for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

She further mentioned she has been separated from her father, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, she had finished the previous four seasons in the elite group but is presently ranked 19th after a mixed season where she had a near-even record.

She is likely to exit the elite rankings by the time the Australian Open arrives.

The 28-year-old stated she will return in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

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

Kasatkina is the third leading female player to withdraw from the tour, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of players retiring mid-match.

The WTA mandates leading players to participate in a required schedule, including the Grand Slam events, premier tour stops, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the calendar. It's possible I will have to select some events and miss them, although they are required.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - not really unfortunately care about the regulations and just consider what's healthy for us.”