🔗 Share this article Professional Player Kasatkina Finishes Season Prematurely, Pointing to Mental Strain Ranked 19th globally the tennis professional announced she is at her "breaking point" and has decided to end her competitive year early, characterizing the intense schedule as "too much, mentally and emotionally." The 28-year-old athlete switched her citizenship from the Russian Federation to the Australian nation in March, after public criticism regarding her nation's LGBTQ+ regulations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She struggled with consistency throughout the season, not managing to win a tournament and concluding with a win-loss tally of 19-21. Kasatkina attributed the emotional stress from her change of citizenship as a significant factor to her difficulties, which included not visiting with her parent for four years. She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I've been far from fine for quite a while and, truth be told, my on-court showings reflect that." "I am at my limit and sadly I am not alone," she added. "Combine the situation the emotional and mental stress related to my citizenship change and I can only handle so much I can manage and endure as an single person." "Should this label me as fragile, then I accept it, I'm weak," she remarked. "However, I believe I am resilient and will grow stronger by taking a break and restoring my energy." "It's time I listened to myself for a change." Fellow Athletes Also Halting Their Years Early Former top-five players Svitolina and Badosa have also ended their seasons early in the past few weeks. Ukraine's Svitolina stated she had "not felt her usual self", while Badosa has discussed the mental toll of an ongoing back problem. Other players have voiced concerns about the impact of the tennis calendar. A quintet of competitors retired injured in two tournaments in China recently, with multiple major winner Swiatek commenting the competitive year is "excessively lengthy and demanding." WTA Requirements and Athlete Issues The WTA has made it mandatory for elite athletes to participate in every Grand Slam, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments. The majority of premier tournaments on the women's and men's circuits run for a fortnight, as do all four Grand Slams. Players may miss required tournaments if they are hurt or have private matters, but they will receive no points for the standings or prize money if they do not play. Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his schedule in lately to protect his body, has called on players to be better aligned in forcing change.