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Ranked 19th globally the tennis professional announced she is at her "breaking point" and chose to end her competitive year ahead of schedule, describing the grueling calendar as "too much, mentally and emotionally."

The 28-year-old athlete changed her citizenship from Russia to the Australian nation in the month of March, after voiced concerns regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ regulations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Her performance suffered for form throughout the season, not managing to win a tournament and finishing with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses.

Kasatkina attributed the emotional stress from her nationality switch as a major contributor to her difficulties, which involve not visiting with her father for four years.

She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I've been not okay for quite a while and, honestly speaking, my results and performances show that."

"I am at my limit and sadly I am in the same boat as others," she added.

"Combine the mix the emotional and mental stress associated with my citizenship change and I can only handle so much I can deal with and take as an single person."

"If this makes me fragile, then so be it, I'm weak," she remarked.

"Nonetheless, I know I am strong and will grow stronger by being away and restoring my energy."

"It's time I listened to myself for once."

Fellow Athletes Similarly Halting Seasons Early

Ex-elite competitors Svitolina and Badosa similarly concluded their campaigns early in the past few weeks.

Ukraine's Svitolina stated she had "not been feeling like myself", while Badosa has discussed the psychological impact of an persistent spinal issue.

Additional athletes have voiced concerns about the effect of the tour schedule.

A quintet of competitors retired injured in a pair of events in the Chinese tournaments last week, with six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek commenting the season is "excessively lengthy and demanding."

Tour Requirements and Athlete Concerns

The WTA has made it mandatory for elite athletes to participate in every Grand Slam, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments.

The majority of 1000 events on the WTA and men's ATP Tour last two weeks, as do each of the major championships.

Players may miss required tournaments if they are injured or have personal reasons, but they will receive no rankings points or financial rewards if they do not play.

Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who has reduced his tournament appearances in lately to protect his body, has called on fellow professionals to be more united in forcing change.