Top-Ranked Player Kasatkina Announces Season Hiatus Over ‘Psychological Pressure’

The nation's highest-rated WTA competitor has decided to take a break throughout the rest of the 2025 season, stating she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Announcement

The tennis professional, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the change for contributing to immense “psychological strain.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being away from her loved ones and the demanding tour schedule.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on digital platforms.

She continued, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and can't continue. I must take a hiatus. A rest from the tedious cycle of professional tennis, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (sorry, girls), all aspects of this existence.”

Individual Challenges and Upcoming Goals

“Each person has a limit I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the top competitors in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then so be it, it's true. But, I believe in my strength and will improve by being away, recharging, recalibrating and reenergising. The moment has come I listened to myself for a difference, my mind, my heart and my physical self.”

She decided to change allegiance after leaving Russia due to safety concerns, having openly opposed the government's legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and the war on Ukraine. Originally based in Dubai, she settled in Australia and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She later got engaged to partner an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a Olympic silver for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has been unable to visit her father, who still lives in her homeland, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in 2022, the player had ended the recent years in the elite group but is currently outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is projected to fall from the leading positions by the time the Australian Open arrives.

The professional athlete announced she will return in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam probably acting as a comeback goal.

Wider Context

Australia's next best competitor is a rising star, ranked 35th globally.

Kasatkina is the third top WTA competitor to end their season early, following other prominent players, amid a growing pattern of players retiring mid-match.

The Women's Tennis Association mandates leading players to compete in a minimum of 20 events, including the Grand Slam events, premier tour stops, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 the Polish star remarked in the past, “It's just impossible to fit it all in the schedule. It's possible I will have to pick some tournaments and skip them, although they are required.

“We have to be smart about it - perhaps ignoring about the rules and just think what's healthy for us.”