🔗 Share this article Australian Tennis Star Kasatkina Announces Season Hiatus Over ‘Mental Stress’ Australia's leading women's tennis player has opted to take a break for the remainder of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “emotional and mental limit.” Causes of the Announcement The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the change for contributing to immense “emotional and mental stress.” Other reasons consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being separated from her family and the relentless circuit routine. “I've been far from fine for a long time and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she shared on her online accounts. She added, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this existence.” Private Difficulties and Future Hopes “There's only so much I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.” “Should this be seen as weakness, then I accept it, it's true. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, recharging, recalibrating and renewing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a change, my thoughts, my heart and my body.” She chose to switch nationality after departing her nation due to fears for her security, having previously criticized the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the Middle East, she settled in her new home and obtained permanent residency in the spring. She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who won a second-place finish for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her birth nation Estonia. She also revealed she has been separated from her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for several years. Professional Background A major tournament contender in 2022, Kasatkina had concluded the previous four seasons among the world's best but is presently 19th after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21. She is likely to fall from the elite rankings by the time the home major begins. The 28-year-old announced she will return in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a key objective. Industry Impact Australia's next best competitor is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally. Kasatkina is the latest top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game. The Women's Tennis Association obligates top competitors to participate in a set number of tournaments, encompassing the major tournaments, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events. But world No. 2 the Polish star remarked last month, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the schedule. Maybe I will have to choose some competitions and omit them, despite the fact that they are obligatory. “We have to be smart about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”