Australian Tennis Star Kasatkina Reveals Temporary Pause Over ‘Psychological Pressure’
The nation's leading WTA competitor has opted to pause her career throughout the rest of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”
Causes of the Decision
The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to considerable “mental and emotional strain.”
Other reasons included the continued challenge of being away from her family and the relentless tour schedule.
“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, truth be told, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she shared on her online accounts.
She continued, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I need a break. A pause from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the outcomes, the stress, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this existence.”
Personal Struggles and Future Hopes
“Each person has a limit I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”
“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I am fragile. But, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, resting, recalibrating and renewing. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a shift, my brain, my emotions and my health.”
Kasatkina chose to switch nationality after exiting her home country due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the conflict in Ukraine. First living in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and secured long-term status in March.
She then announced her engagement to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a second-place finish for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.
The tennis star further mentioned she has not seen her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for several years.
Professional Background
A major tournament contender in recent years, the player had finished the recent years in the elite group but is presently ranked 19th after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21.
She is projected to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open begins.
The professional athlete announced she plans to come back in 2026, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam expected to be a key objective.
Industry Impact
The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.
She is the third leading female player to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of competitors stopping mid-game.
The WTA obligates leading players to participate in a set number of tournaments, encompassing the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.
But world No. 2 a leading athlete remarked in the past, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the calendar. Perhaps I will have to choose some events and miss them, even though they are obligatory.
“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the regulations and just think what's healthy for us.”
