Aussie No.1 hits breaking point after emotional season

A Break from the Tour

Russian-turned-Australian tennis player Daria Kasatkina has decided to take a break from professional tennis, citing the overwhelming demands of life on tour and the emotional toll of her nationality switch. The world No.19, who is the only openly gay female in the top 100, made the decision to switch allegiances to Australia in March, with her sexuality being a significant factor in the move to become an Australian citizen.

However, Kasatkina has faced ongoing challenges in gaining full Australian competition status, which she says has contributed to her decision to step away from competing during the 2025 season. In a recent post, she expressed that she has been far from fine for a long time, and her performance on the court reflects this. She acknowledged that fans can see it too, but she has kept her feelings in check to avoid appearing ungrateful or weak.

“I’ve hit a wall and I can’t continue,” she wrote. “I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of life on tour, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (sorry girls), everything that comes with this life. The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly, I am not alone.”

At the Australian Open launch, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley mentioned that he had not yet spoken to Kasatkina about her situation. He noted that her bid to represent Australia in team competitions, including the Billie Jean King Cup, is still ongoing. Tiley emphasized that the decision lies with the International Tennis Federation and highlighted the support from the Australian government in enabling her transition.

“This hasn’t just happened in the last week. This has been going on for years, and her team is very well-connected,” Tiley said. He also compared the situation to past cases, such as Ajla Tomljanovic’s desire to play for Australia, and stated that the tennis authorities will make the final decision.

Kasatkina finished the 2024 season as the world No.9 and reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open and French Open this year. However, she has struggled since June, experiencing more losses than wins in 2025 for the first time since 2019.

The demands of the tennis schedule have been a growing concern among players. World No.2 Iga Swiatek has criticized the length of the season, highlighting its impact on injuries and player fatigue. Other players, such as Ukrainian world No.13 Elina Svitolina and Australian Alexei Popyrin, have also taken breaks from the sport for similar reasons.

The tennis calendar typically runs from late December through November, with players competing in numerous events to maintain their rankings. Kasatkina added that the stress of not being able to see her family in Russia due to her sexuality and criticism of the invasion of Ukraine has further exacerbated her emotional struggles.

“Add into the mix the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch, not being able to see my parents (4 years now for my father and I), plus the ongoing battles to gain full Australian competition eligibility, it’s a lot and there is only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the best female athletes in the world,” she said.

Kasatkina concluded by stating that she is joining the “2025 tap out club” and looking forward to returning in 2026, energized and ready to compete again.