🔗 Share this article

The nation's leading women's tennis player has chosen to take a break until the end of the current year, explaining she is at her “mental and emotional limit.”

Factors Leading to the Decision

The tennis professional, who recently changed her citizenship to represent Australia, attributed the move for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Additional factors involved the persistent struggle of being away from her relatives and the grueling circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a considerable period and, truth be told, my results and performances show it,” she posted on social media.

She continued, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I need a break. A rest from the tedious cycle of the tennis circuit, the constant packing, the outcomes, the expectations, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), everything that comes with this existence.”

Personal Struggles and Upcoming Goals

“I can only handle I can manage and take as an individual woman, all whilst facing off against the leading players in the world.”

“Should this be seen as weakness, then so be it, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by taking time off, recharging, reorganizing and reenergising. The moment has come I paid attention to my instincts for a shift, my thoughts, my emotions and my body.”

The athlete opted to alter allegiance after leaving her nation due to apprehensions about her well-being, having openly opposed the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. Originally based in the Middle East, she moved to her new home and secured long-term status in early this year.

She subsequently became engaged to longtime girlfriend a former Olympic figure skater, who previously earned a silver medal for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after initially participating for her birth nation Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has been unable to visit her parent, who remains in Russia, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A major tournament contender in recent years, she had finished the previous four seasons among the world's best but is presently ranked 19th after a modest season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to fall from the top 20 by the time the Australian Open takes place.

The 28-year-old confirmed she plans to come back in 2026, “refreshed and prepared,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam expected to be a return target.

Wider Context

The nation's second-ranked player is another Australian athlete, holding the 35th position.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest elite athlete to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The tour governing body obligates leading players to appear at a required schedule, featuring the major tournaments, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor a leading athlete remarked last month, “It's not feasible to squeeze it in the calendar. It's possible I will have to choose some competitions and skip them, even though they are obligatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - not really unfortunately care about the rules and just consider what's good for us.”