World No.19 Daria Kasatkina has announced the end of her 2025 WTA season, revealing in an emotional statement on Monday that she has reached a “breaking point.” The 28-year-old tennis star, who switched her nationality from Russia to Australia in March, has been struggling on the court, culminating in a disappointing loss to Sonay Kartal at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing last week. This defeat marked her third consecutive loss, resulting in her lowest ranking since May 2022.
“I’ve been far from fine for a long time and truth be told, my results and performances show that,” Kasatkina shared on social media. “The fans aren’t stupid, they can see it too.”
Challenges On and Off the Court
Kasatkina’s decision to take a break from the sport comes amid a series of personal and professional challenges. Her recent performances have not met her usual standards, and she openly acknowledged that the pressures of the sport have taken a toll on her mental health.
“I’ve kept a lid on my feelings because I don’t want to seem like I am moaning, weak or, god forbid, ungrateful or unappreciative of this amazing life we live as professional tennis players,” she continued. “Truth is, I’ve hit a wall and I can’t continue. I need a break.”
“The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly, I am not alone.”
Impact of Nationality Change
The transition from representing Russia to Australia has also contributed to Kasatkina’s emotional fatigue. She has been vocal about her struggles with the change, particularly the difficulty of not being able to see her family. “Not being able to see my parents (four 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,” she explained.
Kasatkina’s decision to change her nationality was driven by her criticism of Russia’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues and her opposition to the war in Ukraine, which she described as a “nightmare.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Despite the current challenges, Kasatkina remains optimistic about her future in tennis. She has set her sights on returning to the court in 2026, refreshed and ready to compete at her best. “I will be just fine though, and look forward to seeing you all in 2026, energised and ready to rock!!” she concluded.
As Kasatkina takes this time to focus on her well-being, the tennis community and her fans will undoubtedly be eager to see her return to the sport she loves. Her candidness about mental health and the pressures faced by athletes continues to resonate, shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness in professional sports.
