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The nation's top-ranked women's tennis player has chosen to step away until the end of the current year, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The tennis professional, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the move for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Additional factors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the relentless competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a considerable period and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on social media.

She continued, “Truth is, I've encountered a barrier and am unable to proceed. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the travel, the outcomes, the stress, the same faces (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this life.”

Private Difficulties and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can manage and cope with as a person, all whilst facing off against the best female athletes in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then I accept it, I'm weak. However, I believe in my strength and will grow by stepping back, recharging, reorganizing and renewing. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a difference, my brain, my heart and my health.”

Kasatkina decided to change citizenship after departing her home country due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she relocated to Melbourne and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She later got engaged to partner Natalia Zabiiako, who previously earned a second-place finish for her birth country at the 2018 Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.

Kasatkina also revealed she has been separated from her parent, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A major tournament contender in recent years, Kasatkina had concluded the previous four seasons in the elite group but is presently 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is expected to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The professional athlete stated she aims to resume in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam likely serving as a comeback goal.

Wider Context

The nation's next best competitor is Maya Joint, placed 35th in the world.

She is the third top WTA competitor to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The Women's Tennis Association requires elite athletes to compete in a required schedule, including the major tournaments, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player Iga Swiatek commented last month, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the itinerary. Maybe I will have to select some competitions and omit them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just consider what's good for us.”