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Australia's highest-rated female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career for the remainder of the tennis calendar, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The tennis professional, who recently changed her nationality from Russia to Australia, blamed the move for contributing to significant “psychological stress.”

Other reasons consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her family and the relentless circuit routine.

“My well-being has suffered for a extended duration and, to be frank, my results and performances reflect that,” she shared on social media.

She stated, “Honestly, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I need a break. A pause from the tedious cycle of life on the tour, the suitcases, the outcomes, the expectations, the regular competitors (sorry, girls), everything that comes with this life.”

Individual Challenges and Return Plans

“Each person has a limit I can manage and take as an individual woman, all whilst battling the best female athletes in the world.”

“If this makes me weak, then I accept it, it's true. That said, I am confident in my resilience and will improve by taking time off, refreshing, regrouping and reenergising. The moment has come I heeded my own needs for a difference, my thoughts, my heart and my physical self.”

The athlete decided to change nationality after exiting her home country due to fears for her security, having openly opposed the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. After initially residing in the UAE, she relocated to Australia and obtained permanent residency in early this year.

She later got engaged to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who won a Olympic silver for her former team at the last Winter Olympics after initially participating for her native Estonia.

The tennis star further mentioned she has not seen her parent, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Career Context

A French Open semi-finalist in 2022, she had concluded the last four calendar years ranked in the top ten but is presently 19th after a modest season where she won 19 and lost 21.

She is likely to fall from the top 20 by the time the home major begins.

The professional athlete announced she plans to come back in 2026, “energised and ready to rock,” with the preparation for her home grand slam likely serving as a return target.

Broader Implications

Australia'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 notable increase of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The WTA obligates elite athletes to participate in a required schedule, featuring the Grand Slam events, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor the Polish star remarked in the past, “It's not feasible to fit it all in the itinerary. It's possible I will have to select some competitions and omit them, despite the fact that they are mandatory.

“We must think carefully about it - possibly disregarding about the rules and just focus on what's beneficial for us.”