Daria Kasatkina steps away from tennis after hitting breaking point
Russian-born, now Australian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has announced she will end her 2025 season early, citing mental and emotional exhaustion.
The 28-year-old, ranked No. 19 in the WTA singles rankings, said the decision comes after a grueling schedule, personal pressures, and the emotional toll of her nationality switch.
Kasatkina, a 2022 French Open semifinalist, wrote on Instagram and X that she had “hit a wall” and needed a break from the “monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces… everything that comes with this life.” She added, “The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly, I am not alone.”
This season, Kasatkina struggled to find form, finishing with a 19-22 record. Her last match on tour was a straight-set loss to No. 60 Sonay Kartal in the second round of the China Open on Sept. 27 in Beijing.
Her most recent tour title came at the Ningbo Open in October 2024. She also exited in the third round of her last two Grand Slam appearances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
The 28-year-old’s challenges extend beyond the court. Kasatkina switched her nationality from Russia to Australia earlier this year, a move she said carried “emotional and mental stress,” including being separated from her parents for years.
In interviews, she has also spoken about her difficulties returning to Russia as a gay athlete and critic of the war in Ukraine. Despite these pressures, she has sought to maintain a professional front.
“I’ve been far from fine for a long time and, truth be told, my results and performances show that… I kept a lid on how I felt for fear of seeming ungrateful,” she wrote.
Kasatkina’s decision is the latest in a growing trend of players prioritizing mental health over the demands of a relentless tour schedule. Recent weeks have seen similar announcements from Elina Svitolina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Paula Badosa.
High-profile athletes, including Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova, have also stepped away temporarily in recent years to focus on their wellbeing.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has called the season “too long and intense,” while Novak Djokovic has urged players to unite in addressing the pressures of the tour.
The WTA calendar mandates top players to compete in every Grand Slam, ten WTA 1000 events, and six 500-level tournaments. Many of these events last two weeks or more, leaving little room for rest.
Players can skip mandatory events for personal reasons but risk losing ranking points and prize money, adding another layer of stress.
Kasatkina, who is engaged to Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, said she plans to return in 2026 “energized and ready to rock.” She concluded, “If this makes me weak, then so be it.
However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away, recharging, regrouping and reenergizing. It’s time I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my heart and my body.”
As the WTA continues in Wuhan this week, the tennis world will watch closely how Kasatkina and others manage the fine line between performance and personal wellbeing in an increasingly demanding sport.
