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The nation's leading female tennis athlete has chosen to step away throughout the rest of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Reasons Behind the Choice

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

Further contributors involved the continued challenge of being distant from her relatives and the grueling tour schedule.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, honestly speaking, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she posted on social media.

She continued, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the travel, the outcomes, the stress, the familiar opponents (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“Each person has a limit I can manage and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then so be it, it's true. However, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a shift, my brain, my feelings and my physical self.”

The athlete chose to switch citizenship after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having previously criticized the nation's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the war on Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she settled in Australia and obtained permanent residency in March.

She subsequently became engaged to partner a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a second-place finish for Russia at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her native Estonia.

Kasatkina further mentioned she has been separated from her father, who stayed behind in Russia, for several years.

Career Context

A major tournament contender in the past, Kasatkina had concluded the recent years in the elite group but is presently outside the top 15 after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is expected to drop out of the elite rankings by the time the Australian Open arrives.

The tennis veteran announced she will return in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her domestic major probably acting as a comeback goal.

Industry Impact

The nation's next best competitor is a rising star, holding the 35th position.

She is the most recent leading female player to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The tour governing body mandates elite athletes to participate in a required schedule, featuring the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete remarked in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to choose some competitions and omit 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.”