Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Declares Career Break Citing ‘Psychological Pressure’

Australia's leading WTA competitor has opted to take a break throughout the rest of the 2025 season, stating she is at her “psychological and emotional limit.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to considerable “psychological strain.”

Additional factors involved the continued challenge of being distant from her family and the relentless circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she shared on digital platforms.

She added, “Honestly, I've encountered a barrier and can't continue. I need a break. A break from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the travel, the results, the expectations, the same faces (apologies, ladies), each element involved in this life.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“I can only handle I can endure and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. However, I believe in my strength and will grow by being away, refreshing, regrouping and renewing. The moment has come I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my mind, my heart and my physical self.”

She chose to switch allegiance after departing Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she settled in Australia and secured long-term status in March.

She subsequently became engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a second-place finish for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

She also revealed she has been separated from her dad, who still lives in her homeland, for four years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, the player had finished the recent years ranked in the top ten but is now ranked 19th after a challenging season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to exit the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam begins.

The professional athlete confirmed she plans to come back in next year, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her domestic major probably acting as a key objective.

Industry Impact

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

She is the latest elite athlete to withdraw from the tour, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates elite athletes to participate in a set number of tournaments, including the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.

But top-ranked player a leading athlete remarked in the past, “There's no way to fit it all in the calendar. Maybe I will have to pick some tournaments and miss them, although they are mandatory.

“We have to be smart about it - not really unfortunately care about the guidelines and just think what's beneficial for us.”