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Australia's highest-rated women's tennis player has chosen to take a break throughout the rest of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental limit.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the transition for contributing to significant “psychological pressure.”

Further contributors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the demanding tour schedule.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on social media.

She continued, “Truth is, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A rest from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the outcomes, the expectations, the same faces (my apologies, everyone), each element involved in this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Upcoming Goals

“I can only handle I can deal with and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the best female athletes in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. But, I know I am strong and will improve by stepping back, recharging, regrouping and renewing. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a change, my thoughts, my emotions and my physical self.”

Kasatkina opted to alter citizenship after exiting Russia due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the country's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she relocated to Melbourne and obtained permanent residency in March.

She subsequently became engaged to companion Natalia Zabiiako, who won a silver medal for her former team at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her home country of Estonia.

She also revealed she has been unable to visit her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A major tournament contender in the past, Kasatkina had finished the recent years ranked in the top ten but is now ranked 19th after a challenging season where she had a near-even record.

She is projected to exit the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The 28-year-old announced she will return in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam likely serving as a return target.

Broader Implications

Australia's current No. 2 is a rising star, placed 35th in the world.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest leading female player to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA obligates top competitors to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 the Polish star commented in the past, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the schedule. It's possible I will have to pick some competitions and skip them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just focus on what's good for us.”