🔗 Share this article

The nation's highest-rated female tennis athlete has chosen to pause her career for the remainder of the 2025 season, stating she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Announcement

The Australian No. 1, who recently changed her nationality from Russia to Australia, credited the change for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Further contributors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being separated from her relatives and the relentless circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings show it,” she posted on digital platforms.

She continued, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A rest from the repetitive routine of professional tennis, the travel, the scores, the pressure, the regular competitors (my apologies, everyone), all aspects of this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

“I can only handle I can manage and handle as a female athlete, all whilst facing off against the best female athletes in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. That said, I believe in my strength and will get stronger by taking time off, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. Now is the moment I heeded my own needs for a change, my thoughts, my heart and my health.”

The athlete opted to alter allegiance after exiting Russia due to safety concerns, having previously criticized the country's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she moved to Australia and became a permanent resident in March.

She later got engaged to companion an ex-Olympic athlete, who won a second-place finish for her birth country at the last Winter Olympics after first representing for her birth nation Estonia.

The tennis star further mentioned she has been unable to visit her dad, who stayed behind in Russia, for an extended period.

Tennis Journey

A French Open semi-finalist in the past, the player had finished the recent years in the elite group but is presently ranked 19th after a mixed season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is likely to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The 28-year-old confirmed she plans to come back in the following season, “refreshed and prepared,” with the lead-in to her domestic major probably acting as a comeback goal.

Wider Context

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.

The Australian No. 1 is the third leading female player to end their season early, following two other stars, amid a growing pattern of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The WTA obligates elite athletes to participate in a required schedule, encompassing the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor a leading athlete commented last month, “It's just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule. Perhaps I will have to choose some tournaments and miss them, despite the fact that they are required.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just focus on what's healthy for us.”