Daria Kasatkina Reveals Temporary Pause Over ‘Psychological Pressure’
Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has chosen to pause her career for the remainder of the 2025 season, stating she is at her “psychological and emotional threshold.”
Factors Leading to the Choice
The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the transition for contributing to significant “emotional and mental pressure.”
Additional factors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her loved ones and the demanding competition calendar.
“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, honestly speaking, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she shared on her online accounts.
She continued, “The reality is, I've reached my limit and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A pause from the monotonous daily grind of professional tennis, the constant packing, the outcomes, the stress, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), everything that comes with this career.”
Individual Challenges and Future Hopes
“I can only handle I can deal with and cope with as a person, all whilst battling the top competitors in the world.”
“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, it's true. However, I am confident in my resilience and will grow by stepping back, refreshing, reorganizing and reenergising. It's time I paid attention to my instincts for a change, my brain, my emotions and my health.”
Kasatkina chose to switch citizenship after exiting Russia due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the country's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she moved to Australia and obtained permanent residency in the spring.
She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who previously earned a silver medal for Russia at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her native Estonia.
She further mentioned she has not seen her dad, who remains in Russia, for several years.
Professional Background
A major tournament contender in 2022, the player had finished the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.
She is expected to exit the elite rankings by the time the next Grand Slam begins.
The 28-year-old confirmed she aims to resume in next year, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a comeback goal.
Wider Context
The nation's second-ranked player is Maya Joint, holding the 35th position.
Kasatkina is the third leading female player to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.
The WTA mandates leading players to participate in a required schedule, including the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and additional WTA events.
But top-ranked player a leading athlete commented in the past, “There's no way to accommodate everything the calendar. It's possible I will have to select some tournaments and skip them, although they are mandatory.
“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just consider what's beneficial for us.”
