Daria Kasatkina Reveals Temporary Pause Due to ‘Mental Stress’
Australia's top-ranked female tennis athlete has decided to take a break throughout the rest of the 2025 season, stating she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”
Causes of the Decision
The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the move for contributing to considerable “emotional and mental strain.”
Other reasons consisted of the continued challenge of being away from her family and the relentless circuit routine.
“My well-being has suffered for a extended duration and, to be frank, my results and performances reflect that,” she wrote on social media.
She continued, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the constant packing, the results, the expectations, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), each element involved in this career.”
Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals
“Each person has a limit I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”
“If people consider this a flaw, then I accept it, I am fragile. However, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by taking time off, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. Now is the moment I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my brain, my emotions and my body.”
She chose to switch nationality after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having previously criticized the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the Middle East, she moved to Melbourne and secured long-term status in early this year.
She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who previously earned a second-place finish for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her home country of Estonia.
The tennis star also revealed she has been unable to visit her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for four years.
Career Context
A Roland Garros final four competitor in the past, Kasatkina had concluded the previous four seasons among the world's best but is presently 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.
She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the home major arrives.
The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a comeback goal.
Wider Context
The nation's next best competitor is Maya Joint, holding the 35th position.
She is the third elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.
The WTA mandates top competitors to participate in a minimum of 20 events, encompassing the major tournaments, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.
But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. It's possible I will have to choose some events and skip them, even though they are obligatory.
“It's essential to plan wisely about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just focus on what's good for us.”
