Daria Kasatkina Announces Temporary Pause Over ‘Psychological Pressure’

Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

The tennis professional, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to immense “psychological strain.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being away from her relatives and the grueling tour schedule.

“I've been far from fine for a long time and, truth be told, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she wrote on digital platforms.

She added, “The reality is, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A break from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the travel, the scores, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this career.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“There's only so much 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 so be it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will grow by stepping back, resting, recalibrating and reenergising. It's time I heeded my own needs for a difference, my mind, my emotions and my physical self.”

Kasatkina opted to alter allegiance after exiting Russia due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the country's policies affecting the queer community and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she settled in Melbourne and secured long-term status in early this year.

She then announced her engagement to companion a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a second-place finish for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her native Estonia.

She also revealed she has not seen her father, who remains in Russia, for four years.

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, the player had ended the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is now 19th after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to drop out of the top 20 by the time the next Grand Slam takes place.

The tennis veteran stated she plans to come back in 2026, “recharged and motivated,” with the build-up to her domestic major expected to be a comeback goal.

Broader Implications

Australia's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.

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

The Women's Tennis Association obligates top competitors to appear at a set number of tournaments, including the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor the Polish star commented last month, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to select some competitions and omit them, although they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just consider what's beneficial for us.”