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Australia's leading female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, credited the change for contributing to immense “psychological strain.”

Other reasons involved the ongoing difficulty of being separated from her relatives and the grueling competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a considerable period and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings show it,” she shared on her online accounts.

She added, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the constant packing, the scores, the pressure, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Upcoming Goals

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

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, it's true. However, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by stepping back, refreshing, regrouping and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a difference, my thoughts, my heart and my health.”

The athlete opted to alter citizenship after exiting Russia due to fears for her security, having previously criticized the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she relocated to Australia and became a permanent resident in March.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a silver medal for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her native Estonia.

The tennis star additionally shared she has been separated from her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, she had concluded the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is presently 19th after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

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

The tennis veteran announced she aims to resume in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her domestic major expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the most recent elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following two other stars, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates leading players to compete in a set number of tournaments, encompassing the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. Perhaps I will have to select some competitions and skip them, despite the fact that they are required.

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