Daria Kasatkina Announces Season Hiatus Over ‘Psychological Pressure’
Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has chosen to take a break until the end of the current year, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”
Causes of the Announcement
The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her allegiance to compete for Australia, attributed the change for contributing to considerable “mental and emotional pressure.”
Other reasons involved the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her relatives and the grueling circuit routine.
“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, to be frank, my on-court achievements demonstrate it,” she shared on social media.
She stated, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the results, the expectations, the familiar opponents (sorry, girls), each element involved in this existence.”
Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals
“I can only handle 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 I accept it, it's true. However, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by taking time off, resting, regrouping and reenergising. The moment has come I listened to myself for a shift, my brain, my emotions and my health.”
Kasatkina decided to change nationality after exiting Russia due to apprehensions about her well-being, having publicly spoken against the government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she relocated to Australia and secured long-term status in March.
She then announced her engagement to partner an ex-Olympic athlete, who previously earned a Olympic silver for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her birth nation Estonia.
Kasatkina further mentioned she has not seen her father, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.
Tennis Journey
A Roland Garros final four competitor in the past, Kasatkina had finished the recent years ranked in the top ten but is currently outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.
She is projected to drop out of the top 20 by the time the Australian Open arrives.
The 28-year-old confirmed she plans to come back in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the build-up to her domestic major expected to be a key objective.
Wider Context
Australia's current No. 2 is Maya Joint, ranked 35th globally.
She is the third elite athlete to cut short their year, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of athletes withdrawing during competitions.
The tour governing body obligates elite athletes to appear at a minimum of 20 events, encompassing the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and six 500-level tournaments.
But elite competitor the Polish star remarked recently, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. Maybe I will have to select some events and omit them, although they are required.
“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just think what's beneficial for us.”
