Kasatkina ends season early citing mental and emotional strain

VIDEO SHOWS: FILE VIDEO AND STILLS OF RUSSIAN-BORN AUSTRALIAN TENNIS PLAYER DARIA KASATKINA / SCREEN GRABS OF POST ON DARIA KASATKINA’S X FEED ANNOUNCING SHE IS ENDING HER SEASON EARLY RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE – AUGUST 30, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS STILL PHOTOS OF RUSSIAN-BORN AUSTRALIAN TENNIS PLAYER DARIA KASATKINA IN ACTION IN U.S. OPEN THIRD ROUND MATCH AGAINST JAPAN’S NAOMI OSAKA (NOT PICTURED) 2. KASATKINA AND OSAKA SHAKING HANDS AFTER MATCH LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE – JULY 5, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE)  3. STILL PHOTO OF KASATKINA IN ACTION DURING WIMBLEDON THIRD-ROUND MATCH AGAINST LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA (NOT PICTURED) INTERNET (OCTOBER 6, 2025) (X / @DKasatkina – Access all) (MUTE) 4. VARIOUS SCREEN GRABS OF POST ON DARIA KASATKINA’S X FEED ANNOUNCING SHE IS ENDING HER SEASON EARLY (SIX SCREEN GRABS) EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE – JUNE 29, 2024) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 5. VARIOUS (THREE) STILL PHOTOS OF KASATKINA CELEBRATING WITH EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL TROPHY AFTER DEFEATING LEYLAH FERNANDEZ IN THE FINAL DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (FILE – FEBRUARY 19, 2024) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 6. STILL OF KASATKINA IN ACTION DURING DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND OF 64 MATCH AGAINST LUCIA BRONZETTI LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE – JULY 5, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 7. STILL OF KASATKINA CELEBRATING WINNING HER WIMBLEDON SECOND-ROUND MATCH AGAINST JODIE BURRAGE MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (FILE – JANUARY 16, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 8. STILL OF KASATKINA REACTING AFTER WINNING HER AUSTRALIAN OPEN SECOND-ROUND MATCH AGAINST WANG YAFAN ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (FILE – JULY 21, 2021) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 9. STILL OF KASATKINA CELEBRATING WITH ST PETERSBURG LADIES' TROPHY AFTER DEFEATING MARGARITA GASPARYAN IN THE FINAL MADRID, SPAIN (FILE – ABRIL 30, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 10. STILL OF KASATKINA IN ACTION AGAINST LESIA TSURENKO IN MADRID OPEN ROUND OF 32 MATCH 11. STILL OF FAN WAVING UKRAINIAN FLAG AS KASATKINA WALKS OFF COURT ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA (FILE – JANUARY 7, 2024) (TENNIS AUSTRALIA – Editorial use only, no resales, no monetisation.) 12. VARIOUS OF KASATKINA PRACTISING HER SERVE DURING TRAINING SESSION 13. KASATKINA HITTING GROUNDSTROKES DURING TRAINING SESSION STORY: Daria Kasatkina has become the latest leading player to end her season early, saying she is at a breaking point, mentally and emotionally. The Russian-born Australian posted a statement on social media on Monday (October 6) explaining she had continued until now, saying she was 'fine' even though she knew that was not the case, and keeping a lid on her feelings so as not to sound weak or unappreciative. "I've been far from fine for a long time and truth be told, my results and performances show that," said the 28-year-old. "The fans aren't stupid, they can see it too. "Truth is, I've hit a wall and can't continue. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily grind of life on the tour, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (sorry girls), everything that comes with this life. "The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly I am not alone," added the world number 19. Kasatkina switched nationality this year after a spell as a neutral athlete. She has not returned to Russia after coming out as gay and speaking out against the war in Ukraine. She said she had not seen her father for four years and had suffered emotional stress in the battle to gain full Australian competition eligibility. "I know I am strong and I will get stronger by being away, recharging, regrouping and reenergising," said Kasatkina. "2025 is done for me, and like me, it's been far from fine." Other players ended their seasons early recently, some highlighting the length and intensity of the tennis calendar. (Production: Jeenah Moon, Toby Melville, Conal Quinn, Kurt Michael Hall)

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