🔗 Share this article

Australia's leading women's tennis player has decided to pause her career for the remainder of the 2025 season, admitting she is at her “emotional and mental breaking point.”

Factors Leading to the Choice

The Australian No. 1, who earlier switched her citizenship to represent Australia, blamed the change for contributing to significant “psychological pressure.”

Other reasons included the persistent struggle of being distant from her relatives and the relentless circuit routine.

“I've been far from fine for a extended duration and, truth be told, my results and performances demonstrate it,” she posted on her online accounts.

She continued, “Truth is, I've hit a wall and am unable to proceed. I require time off. A break from the repetitive routine of the tennis circuit, the travel, the results, the pressure, the regular competitors (apologies, ladies), each element involved in this existence.”

Private Difficulties and Upcoming Goals

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

“If people consider this a flaw, then that's acceptable, I'm weak. However, I know I am strong and will improve by taking time off, resting, recalibrating and renewing. Now is the moment I listened to myself for a shift, my brain, my emotions and my body.”

She chose to switch allegiance after exiting her home country due to safety concerns, having publicly spoken against the nation's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the conflict in Ukraine. Originally based in the UAE, she relocated to her new home and became a permanent resident in early this year.

She then announced her engagement to companion Natalia Zabiiako, who won a silver medal for her birth country at the PyeongChang Games after initially participating for her native Estonia.

The tennis star additionally shared she has been unable to visit her father, who still lives in her homeland, for several years.

Tennis Journey

A Roland Garros final four competitor in the past, the player had concluded the last four calendar years in the elite group but is presently ranked 19th after a mixed season where she secured 19 victories against 21 defeats.

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

The tennis veteran confirmed she aims to resume in 2026, “energised and ready to rock,” with the preparation for her local Grand Slam probably acting as a comeback goal.

Broader Implications

The nation's next best competitor is another Australian athlete, placed 35th in the world.

The Australian No. 1 is the third elite athlete to cut short their year, following Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, amid a recent trend of players retiring mid-match.

The tour governing body obligates elite athletes to appear at a set number of tournaments, featuring the four grand slams, premier tour stops, and six 500-level tournaments.

But world No. 2 a leading athlete commented in the past, “There's no way to squeeze it in the schedule. It's possible I will have to select some events and miss them, even though they are mandatory.

“It's essential to plan wisely about it - perhaps ignoring about the guidelines and just consider what's beneficial for us.”