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The nation's highest-rated WTA competitor has decided to pause her career until the end of the tennis calendar, explaining she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the change for contributing to immense “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors consisted of the continued challenge of being distant from her relatives and the relentless circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, truth be told, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she posted on digital platforms.

She added, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I require time off. A break from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“Each person has a limit I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by stepping back, resting, regrouping and renewing. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a difference, my brain, my heart and my physical self.”

The athlete chose to switch citizenship after exiting her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she settled in Australia and became a permanent resident in the spring.

She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a second-place finish for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

She also revealed she has been separated from her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Career Context

A major tournament contender in 2022, the player had ended the recent years among the world's best but is currently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the home major arrives.

The 28-year-old announced she aims to resume in next year, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam expected to be a comeback goal.

Industry Impact

The nation's second-ranked player is a rising star, holding the 35th position.

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

The Women's Tennis Association requires top competitors to compete in a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and six 500-level tournaments.

But top-ranked player a leading athlete stated in the past, “It's just impossible to accommodate everything the calendar. It's possible I will have to select some competitions and omit them, even though they are required.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just focus on what's good for us.”