Daria Kasatkina Reveals Temporary Pause Over ‘Emotional Strain’
Australia's highest-rated WTA competitor has opted to take a break throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, stating she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.”
Causes of the Decision
The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to significant “mental and emotional pressure.”
Other reasons involved the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her loved ones and the grueling competition calendar.
“I've been far from fine for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances show it,” she wrote on her online accounts.
She added, “The reality is, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I require time off. A pause from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the constant packing, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this career.”
Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals
“I can only handle I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, 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 get stronger by taking time off, recharging, reorganizing and reenergising. It's time I heeded my own needs for a shift, my mind, my emotions and my health.”
The athlete opted to alter nationality after departing Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in Dubai, she settled in Melbourne and secured long-term status in the spring.
She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who secured a silver medal for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.
Kasatkina further mentioned she has not seen her father, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.
Tennis Journey
A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, the player had finished the previous four seasons in the elite group but is currently 19th after a modest season where she had a near-even record.
She is projected to exit the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam begins.
The tennis veteran announced she plans to come back in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.
Wider Context
The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.
Kasatkina is the third top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.
The WTA mandates elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.
But elite competitor the Polish star stated last month, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the schedule. Perhaps I will have to pick some tournaments and skip them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.
“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just focus on what's good for us.”