🔗 Share this article

World number 19 Daria Kasatkina announced she is at her "limit" and chose to end her competitive year ahead of schedule, describing the demanding schedule as "excessive, mentally and emotionally."

The 28-year-old athlete switched her nationality from Russia to the Australian nation in March, following public criticism regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ regulations and the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian region.

She struggled with consistency throughout the season, not managing to secure a title and concluding with a win-loss tally of 19-21.

Kasatkina linked the mental strain from her change of citizenship as a significant factor to her challenges, which involve not visiting with her parent for four years.

She wrote in a detailed post: "I've been far from fine for quite a while and, honestly speaking, my results and performances show that."

"I am at breaking point and unfortunately I am in the same boat as others," she continued.

"Combine the situation the psychological pressure associated with my nationality switch and I can only handle so much I can deal with and endure as an individual woman."

"Should this label me as fragile, then I accept it, I'm weak," she remarked.

"However, I believe I am strong and will grow stronger by taking a break and recharging."

"The moment has come I listened to my own needs for once."

Fellow Athletes Similarly Ending Seasons Early

Ex-elite competitors Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa have also concluded their campaigns ahead of time in the past few weeks.

Ukraine's Svitolina mentioned she had "not been feeling her usual self", while the Spanish player has discussed the mental toll of an ongoing spinal issue.

Other players have also spoken about the effect of the tennis calendar.

A quintet of competitors withdrew due to injury in a pair of events in the Chinese tournaments last week, with six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek commenting the season is "excessively lengthy and demanding."

Tour Regulations and Player Issues

The WTA has made it mandatory for elite athletes to participate in each major tournament, ten premier events and six 500-level tournaments.

The majority of 1000 events on the WTA and men's ATP Tour last two weeks, as do each of the Grand Slams.

Players can skip mandatory events if they are hurt or have personal reasons, but they will not get any points for the standings or prize money if they opt out.

Ex-top ranked player Djokovic, who has slimmed down his tournament appearances in recent years to preserve his health, has urged players to be better aligned in advocating for reforms.