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Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has decided to step away for the remainder of the tennis calendar, stating she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

Daria Kasatkina, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the change for contributing to immense “mental and emotional strain.”

Further contributors involved the persistent struggle of being distant from her relatives and the relentless competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a extended duration and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings demonstrate it,” she posted on her online accounts.

She stated, “Honestly, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the suitcases, the outcomes, the stress, the familiar opponents (sorry, girls), each element involved in this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

“I can only handle I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst competing with the leading players in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, it's true. But, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by stepping back, refreshing, reorganizing and revitalizing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a shift, my mind, my emotions and my health.”

The athlete opted to alter citizenship after leaving her nation due to fears for her security, having previously criticized the government's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who secured a Olympic silver for her former team at the PyeongChang Games after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina additionally shared she has been separated from her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A major tournament contender in 2022, the player had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she had a near-even record.

She is likely to exit the elite rankings by the time the home major takes place.

The professional athlete stated she aims to resume in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her home grand slam expected to be a key objective.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

She is the third leading female player to withdraw from the tour, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association requires elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, including the Grand Slam events, premier tour stops, and six 500-level tournaments.

But elite competitor the Polish star stated recently, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. It's possible I will have to select some competitions and omit them, despite the fact that they are obligatory.

“We must think carefully about it - not really unfortunately care about the regulations and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”