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The nation's leading women's tennis player has opted to take a break for the remainder of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “mental and emotional threshold.”

Causes of the Choice

The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her allegiance to compete for Australia, credited the move for contributing to immense “mental and emotional pressure.”

Additional factors consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being distant from her family and the demanding circuit routine.

“I haven't been okay for a long time and, truth be told, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she wrote on social media.

She stated, “The reality is, I've encountered a barrier and must stop now. I must take a hiatus. A break from the monotonous daily grind of professional tennis, the constant packing, the outcomes, the stress, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this life.”

Private Difficulties and Return Plans

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

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, I am fragile. But, I believe in my strength and will grow by taking time off, resting, regrouping and revitalizing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a change, my brain, my feelings and my body.”

She decided to change nationality after leaving her home country due to fears for her security, having publicly spoken against the country's policies affecting the queer community and the war on Ukraine. First living in Dubai, she moved to Australia and secured long-term status in early this year.

She then announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend an ex-Olympic athlete, who secured a silver medal for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics after earlier competing for her birth nation Estonia.

The tennis star also revealed she has been separated from her parent, who stayed behind in Russia, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in recent years, she had finished the previous four seasons among the world's best but is now outside the top 15 after a challenging season where she had a near-even record.

She is expected to exit the leading positions by the time the Australian Open begins.

The 28-year-old stated she aims to resume in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the build-up to her home grand slam probably acting as a return target.

Broader Implications

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

She is the most recent leading female player to cut short their year, following other prominent players, amid a recent trend of athletes withdrawing during competitions.

The WTA obligates leading players to appear at a minimum of 20 events, including the Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1,000 events, and lower-tier matches.

But top-ranked player the Polish star commented recently, “There's no way to squeeze it in the schedule. Maybe I will have to select some events and miss them, even though they are mandatory.

“We must think carefully about it - perhaps ignoring about the regulations and just focus on what's good for us.”