Australian Tennis Star Kasatkina Declares Temporary Pause Due to ‘Emotional Strain’

Australia's leading women's tennis player has decided to take a break throughout the rest of the 2025 season, explaining she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Choice

The tennis professional, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the change for contributing to considerable “mental and emotional stress.”

Other reasons consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her family and the relentless competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, to be frank, my on-court achievements reflect that,” she wrote on social media.

She stated, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I require time off. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the travel, the results, the stress, the same faces (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this career.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

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

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. That said, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, refreshing, regrouping and reenergising. The moment has come I listened to myself for a shift, my thoughts, my emotions and my body.”

She chose to switch nationality after departing her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the war on Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and secured long-term status in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been unable to visit her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for several years.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, Kasatkina had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a modest season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to fall from the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The tennis veteran confirmed she plans to come back in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her domestic major likely serving as a return target.

Wider Context

Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the latest top WTA competitor to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association requires leading players to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and additional WTA events.

But elite competitor a leading athlete commented recently, “It's just impossible to accommodate everything the calendar. It's possible I will have to pick some events and omit them, even though they are required.

“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”