🔗 Share this article Tennis Star Kasatkina Concludes Campaign Prematurely, Citing Emotional Exhaustion World number 19 the tennis professional has declared she is at her "breaking point" and chose to conclude her competitive year ahead of schedule, describing the intense calendar as "excessive, psychologically and personally." The 28-year-old athlete switched her nationality from the Russian Federation to the Australian nation in the month of March, following voiced concerns regarding her nation's LGBTQ+ laws and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Her performance suffered with consistency this year, failing to win a tournament and finishing with a win-loss tally of 19 wins and 21 losses. Kasatkina linked the emotional stress from her nationality switch as a major contributor to her difficulties, which included not seeing her parent for several years. She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I have been not okay for quite a while and, truth be told, my results and performances show that." "I have reached breaking point and sadly I am in the same boat as others," she added. "Combine the situation the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch and I can only handle so much I can manage and take as an individual woman." "Should this label me as weak, then so be it, I am not strong enough," she stated. "However, I know I am resilient and will grow stronger by being away and restoring my energy." "It's time I heeded myself for a change." Other Players Also Halting Their Years Early Former top-five players Elina Svitolina and Badosa have also concluded their campaigns early in the past few weeks. The Ukrainian star mentioned she had "not felt her usual self", while Badosa has discussed the psychological impact of an persistent spinal issue. Other players have voiced concerns about the effect of the tour schedule. A quintet of competitors withdrew due to injury in two tournaments in China recently, with six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek saying the competitive year is "excessively lengthy and demanding." Tour Regulations and Player Issues The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) requires for top players to participate in each major tournament, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments. The majority of 1000 events on the WTA and men's ATP Tour run for a fortnight, as do each of the Grand Slams. Players may miss required tournaments if they are injured or have personal reasons, but they will receive no points for the standings or financial rewards if they do not play. Ex-top ranked player Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his tournament appearances in lately to preserve his health, has urged fellow professionals to be more united in forcing change.