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Australia's top-ranked female tennis athlete has decided to pause her career until the end of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “psychological and emotional limit.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

The Australian No. 1, who this year altered her nationality from Russia to Australia, attributed the transition for contributing to considerable “mental and emotional pressure.”

Other reasons consisted of the ongoing difficulty of being away from her family and the demanding competition calendar.

“My well-being has suffered for a long time and, to be frank, my match outcomes and showings reflect that,” she posted on her online accounts.

She added, “The reality is, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I require time off. A break from the monotonous daily grind of the tennis circuit, the travel, the outcomes, the expectations, the familiar opponents (apologies, ladies), all aspects of this life.”

Private Difficulties and Future Hopes

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

“Should this be seen as weakness, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will grow by being away, refreshing, regrouping and revitalizing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a difference, my thoughts, my emotions and my physical self.”

She decided to change allegiance after exiting her nation due to fears for her security, having previously criticized the nation's policies affecting the queer community and the invasion of Ukraine. First living in the UAE, she moved to her new home and obtained permanent residency in the spring.

She subsequently became engaged to longtime girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako, who won a second-place finish for her former team at the PyeongChang Games after earlier competing for her home country of Estonia.

She additionally shared she has been unable to visit her father, who still lives in her homeland, for an extended period.

Professional Background

A major tournament contender in recent years, she had ended the previous four seasons in the elite group but is now outside the top 15 after a modest season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

She is expected to exit the elite rankings by the time the home major takes place.

The 28-year-old announced she will return in the following season, “energised and ready to rock,” with the lead-in to her home grand slam expected to be a return target.

Broader Implications

The nation's second-ranked player is a rising star, placed 35th in the world.

The Australian No. 1 is the latest top WTA competitor to end their season early, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of competitors stopping mid-game.

The WTA obligates top competitors to appear at a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, top-tier competitions, and lower-tier matches.

But elite competitor Iga Swiatek remarked last month, “It's not feasible to accommodate everything the calendar. It's possible I will have to choose some competitions and miss them, although they are mandatory.

“We have to be smart about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just consider what's good for us.”