‘Breaking point’: Aussie No.1 ends season after emotional year

Russian-turned-Australian tennis player Daria Kasatkina is taking a break from the sport after the demands of life on tour and stress that accompanied her nationality switch left her at “breaking point”.

Kasatkina, the only openly gay female in the top 100, switched allegiances to Australia in March, citing her sexuality as a major factor in the move to become an Australian citizen, but said she was facing “ongoing battles to gain full Australian competition status”.

As a result, the world No.19 said she was done with competing during the 2025 season, effective immediately.

“I’ve been far from fine for a long time, and truth be told, my results and performances show that, the fans aren’t stupid, they can see it too,” Kasatkina posted.

“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.

“Truth is, I’ve hit a wall and I can’t continue. 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.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s Australian Open launch, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said he had not spoken to Kasatkina yet, and that her bid to represent her adopted country in team competitions, including the Billie Jean King Cup, was “ongoing”.

“That’s not a decision of ours. That’s a decision of the International Tennis Federation,” Tiley said.

“The Australian government has been really helpful in enabling that. She’s made it very clear who she wants to play for. She’s well-connected. This hasn’t just happened in the last week. This has been going on for years, and her team is very well-connected.

“[This is] not dissimilar to many, many years ago – over 10 years ago – with Ajla Tomljanovic wanting to play for Australia ... then it’s up to the tennis authorities to [decide] on how that goes, and I can’t advise on that. We can certainly advocate.”

Asked if Kasatkina, who has permanent residency in Australia, needed to be a citizen before representing Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup, Tiley said there were “many factors”.

“I won’t go into those factors yet,” Tiley said. “We’ll provide them with all the information we need to provide, including the fact that she has a deep desire to represent Australia.”

Kasatkina finished the 2024 season as the world No.9 and made it through to the round of 16 at the Australian Open and French Open this year, but has struggled on court since June and has had more losses than wins in 2025 for the first time since 2019.

Players have been complaining about the demands of the schedule for many years, with the length of the season being criticised by top players, including world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.

Swiatek has previously said the never-ending season has increased injuries and left players fatigued.

Ukrainian world No. 13 Elina Svitolina announced an early end to her season in September for similar reasons, while Australian Alexei Popyrin made a similar move to Kasatkina earlier this year, taking a break after Wimbledon to relax and “completely and utterly disconnect from tennis”.

The tennis calendar typically runs from the final weeks of December, with the Australian Open the first grand slam of the year in January, and runs all the way through to the WTA and ATP finals in November. The tour requires players to compete in 10 WTA 1000 events and six WTA 500 events, but players are caught in a cycle trying to chase ranking points to remain eligible for seedings at grand slam events.

Kasatkina said the additional stress of not being able to see her family in Russia, because of her sexuality and her criticism of the invasion of Ukraine, had added to the emotional toll of the season.

“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.

“So I am joining the 2025 tap out club. I will be just fine though, and look forward to seeing you all in 2026, energised and ready to rock.”

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