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Australia's leading female tennis athlete has decided to step away until the end of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

Daria Kasatkina, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the change for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Additional factors included the ongoing difficulty of being away from her loved ones and the grueling circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, to be frank, my on-court achievements 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 rest from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the travel, the scores, the stress, the same faces (sorry, girls), all aspects of this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

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

“Should this be seen as weakness, then I accept it, it's true. But, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, recharging, reorganizing and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a change, my mind, my emotions and my body.”

She opted to alter citizenship after departing Russia due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in the Middle East, she relocated to Australia and became a permanent resident in early this year.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.

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

Career Context

A major tournament contender in the past, the player had concluded the last four calendar years among the world's best but is presently 19th after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is expected to drop out of the leading positions by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The professional athlete announced she aims to resume in the following season, “recharged and motivated,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's current No. 2 is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest leading female player to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a notable increase of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates elite athletes to appear at a set number of tournaments, including the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.

But top-ranked player a leading athlete commented in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to choose some events and miss them, even though they are required.

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