Professional Player Daria Kasatkina Finishes Campaign Prematurely, Pointing to Emotional Fatigue
World number 19 the tennis professional has declared she is at her "limit" and has decided to conclude her tennis season early, labeling the intense calendar as "too much, mentally and emotionally."
The 28-year-old athlete changed her nationality from the Russian Federation to the Australian nation in the month of March, after voiced concerns regarding her nation's LGBTQ+ laws and the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian region.
Her performance suffered with consistency this year, not managing to secure a title and finishing with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses.
The athlete attributed the mental strain from her change of citizenship as a significant factor to her difficulties, which included not seeing her father for several years.
She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I have been not okay for quite a while and, truth be told, my results and performances reflect that."
"I am at my limit and unfortunately I am not alone," she added.
"Combine the situation the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch and I can only handle so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman."
"If this makes me fragile, then so be it, I'm weak," she remarked.
"However, I know I am resilient and will grow stronger by taking a break and restoring my energy."
"It's time I heeded myself for once."
Fellow Athletes Also Halting Seasons Early
Ex-elite competitors Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa similarly concluded their campaigns ahead of time in recent weeks.
The Ukrainian star stated she had "not felt her usual self", while Badosa has discussed the psychological impact of an ongoing back problem.
Other players have voiced concerns 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 multiple major winner Swiatek saying the season is "too long and intense."
Tour Requirements and Athlete Concerns
The WTA requires for top players to participate in each major tournament, 10 WTA 1000 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 major championships.
Players may miss required tournaments if they are hurt or have personal reasons, but they will not get any rankings points or prize money if they opt out.
Ex-top ranked player Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his schedule in recent years to protect his body, has urged fellow professionals to be more united in forcing change.
