🔗 Share this article Professional Player Daria Kasatkina Finishes Season Early, Citing Emotional Fatigue World number 19 Daria Kasatkina announced she is at her "limit" and has decided to conclude her tennis season ahead of schedule, describing the intense schedule as "excessive, mentally and emotionally." The 28-year-old switched her citizenship from Russia to Australia in March, after public criticism regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ regulations and the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian region. Her performance suffered with consistency this year, failing to secure a title and concluding with a record of 19-21. Kasatkina attributed the emotional stress from her change of citizenship as a significant factor to her difficulties, which involve not seeing her parent for several years. She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I've been far from fine for quite a while and, honestly speaking, my on-court showings show that." "I am at breaking point and unfortunately I am not alone," she added. "Add in the mix the emotional and mental stress associated with my citizenship change and there is only so much I can manage and endure as an individual woman." "Should this label me as fragile, then so be it, I'm weak," she remarked. "Nonetheless, I believe I am resilient and will grow stronger by being away and restoring my energy." "The moment has come I listened to myself for a change." Other Players Also Halting Seasons Early Ex-elite competitors Svitolina and Badosa have also concluded their seasons early in the past few weeks. Ukraine's Svitolina stated she had "not felt like myself", while the Spanish player has discussed the psychological impact of an persistent spinal issue. Other players have voiced concerns about the effect of the tour schedule. Five players retired due to injury in a pair of events in the Chinese tournaments last week, with six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek commenting the competitive year is "too long and intense." Tour Regulations and Player Issues The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) requires for top players to participate in each Grand Slam, ten premier events and six secondary competitions. The majority of premier tournaments on the women's and men's circuits last two weeks, as do each of the Grand Slams. Competitors may miss mandatory events if they are injured or have private matters, but they will receive no rankings points or financial rewards if they opt out. Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his schedule in lately to preserve his health, has called on fellow professionals to be more united in advocating for reforms.