Australian Tennis Star Kasatkina Reveals Career Break Over ‘Emotional Strain’

Australia's top-ranked women's tennis player has opted to take a break for the remainder of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional limit.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who earlier switched her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to immense “emotional and mental stress.”

Other reasons involved the persistent struggle of being away from her relatives and the relentless tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, to be frank, my on-court achievements show it,” she wrote on her online accounts.

She stated, “Truth is, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I require time off. A rest from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the suitcases, the outcomes, the expectations, the same faces (sorry, girls), all aspects of this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can endure and cope with as a person, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“If people consider this a flaw, then so be it, it's true. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by being away, recharging, reorganizing and renewing. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my brain, my heart and my physical self.”

She opted to alter allegiance after exiting her home country due to safety concerns, having previously criticized the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she moved to her new home and secured long-term status in the spring.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her native Estonia.

She further mentioned she has not seen her dad, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Professional Background

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, she had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is currently ranked 19th after a mixed season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the home major begins.

The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the build-up to her local Grand Slam likely serving as a return target.

Wider Context

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, ranked 35th globally.

The Australian No. 1 is the third elite athlete to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body obligates elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “There's no way to fit it all in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to select some competitions and skip them, although they are obligatory.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just think what's beneficial for us.”