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The nation's leading female tennis athlete has chosen to take a break for the remainder of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the change for contributing to significant “mental and emotional stress.”

Further contributors included the continued challenge of being distant from her loved ones and the demanding tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a extended duration and, to be frank, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she posted on digital platforms.

She added, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A rest from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the travel, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Return Plans

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

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, it's true. But, I know I am strong and will grow by taking time off, refreshing, recalibrating and reenergising. It's time I heeded my own needs for a shift, my mind, my feelings and my health.”

She opted to alter citizenship after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the nation's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she moved to Australia and became a permanent resident in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a Olympic silver for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

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

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in recent years, Kasatkina had finished the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now 19th after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is likely to drop out of the leading positions by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The 28-year-old announced she aims to resume in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her domestic major probably acting 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 withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The Women's Tennis Association requires top competitors to appear at a required schedule, encompassing the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and additional WTA events.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete remarked recently, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the calendar. It's possible I will have to pick some events and skip them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the guidelines and just think what's good for us.”