Daria Kasatkina ends her 2025 season early: 'I'm at breaking point'
NewsTuesday, 07 October 2025 at 09:58
Daria Kasatkina won't play any more tournaments in 2025 after opening up about her recent struggles.
Kasatkina's 2025 season has been one of her worst seasons in recent memory. She will end the year ranked lowest since 2020, and she is unlikely to be among the seeded players at the 2026 Australian Open. That's a surprising development, considering she ended two of the last three seasons in the Top 10.
Apart from their professional lives on the tennis courts, tennis players and athletes also have personal lives, and a lot has been happening in Kasatkina's life recently. This year, she officially started representing Australia instead of her home country, Russia.
It's been a challenging year for the 28-year-old, and after losing three consecutive matches since the US Open, Kasatkina made the decision that it's not worth continuing and pushing herself. Instead, she opted to end her season early, announcing it in a statement on social media.
"'I'm fine,' words I am sure we have all heard many women from many different walks of life use, knowing they're not fine, they're far from fine, but they continue, breaking themselves a little more each time."
"This is me. 2025 has been my 'I'm fine' year. I've been far from fine for a long time, and truth be told, my results and performances show that, the fans aren't stupid, they can see it too. I've kept a lid on my feelings because I don't want to seem like I am moaning, weak, or, god forbid, ungrateful or unappreciative of this amazing life we live as professional tennis players."
"Truth is, I've hit a wall and I 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."
Kasatkina joins critics of the challenging tennis calendar
In her statement, Kasatkina joined the critics of the current tennis calendar. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Carlos Alcaraz have all criticized the current calendar, and the Russian-born player is another who stated that, due to the current schedule, she reached a breaking point.
"The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally, I am at a breaking point, and sadly, I am not alone. Add in to the mix the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch, not being able to see my parents (4 years now for my father and I), plus the ongoing battles to gain full Australian competition eligibility, it's a lot and there is only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the best female athletes in the world If this makes me weak, then so be it, I'm weak."
"However, I know I am strong and I will get stronger by being away, recharging, regrouping, and reenergising. It's time I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my heart, and my body. 2025 is done for me, and like me, it's been far from fine... So I am joining the 2025 tap-out club. I will be just fine though, and look forward to seeing you all in 2026, energised and ready to rock!"
Kasatkina mentioned that she joined the "tap-out club," referencing other players who ended their seasons early. Elina Svitolina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Jack Draper are just some of the players who ended their seasons early this year.
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