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Australia's leading women's tennis player has opted to take a break throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Reasons Behind the Announcement

Daria Kasatkina, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to immense “emotional and mental stress.”

Other reasons involved the continued challenge of being separated from her loved ones and the relentless circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my match outcomes and showings demonstrate it,” she shared on social media.

She stated, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the suitcases, the outcomes, the pressure, the same faces (apologies, ladies), each element involved in this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Future Hopes

“Each person has a limit I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst competing with the top competitors in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then so be it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by stepping back, recharging, reorganizing and reenergising. It's time I heeded my own needs for a shift, my thoughts, my heart and my physical self.”

She opted to alter allegiance after leaving her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she settled in her new home and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a second-place finish for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has not seen her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, she had finished the recent years ranked in the top ten but is presently ranked 19th after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to fall from the elite rankings by the time the home major begins.

The 28-year-old confirmed she aims to resume in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her local Grand Slam probably acting as a return target.

Industry Impact

The nation's second-ranked player is a rising star, placed 35th in the world.

Kasatkina is the most recent elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates elite athletes to appear at a required schedule, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete remarked recently, “There's no way to squeeze it in the itinerary. Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and miss them, even though they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just consider what's healthy for us.”