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Australia's leading WTA competitor has opted to step away until the end of the current year, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the change for contributing to considerable “psychological stress.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being separated from her loved ones and the relentless tour schedule.

“My well-being has suffered for a extended duration and, truth be told, my results and performances reflect that,” she posted on social media.

She continued, “The reality is, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the outcomes, the pressure, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), each element involved in this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“There's only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst battling the leading players in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, it's true. However, I know I am strong and will improve by taking time off, refreshing, regrouping and revitalizing. Now is the moment I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my mind, my feelings and my body.”

Kasatkina decided to change citizenship after leaving her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she moved to her new home and obtained permanent residency in March.

She then announced her engagement to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

She further mentioned she has been separated from her father, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, the player had ended the previous four seasons among the world's best but is currently ranked 19th after a mixed season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to fall from the top 20 by the time the home major begins.

The tennis veteran announced she aims to resume in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a comeback goal.

Broader Implications

Australia's second-ranked player is Maya Joint, holding the 35th position.

She is the latest elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The Women's Tennis Association requires elite athletes to compete in a minimum of 20 events, featuring the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor the Polish star commented last month, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the itinerary. It's possible I will have to select some tournaments and skip them, although they are obligatory.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just focus on what's good for us.”