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Ranked 19th globally Daria Kasatkina has declared she is at her "breaking point" and has decided to end her competitive year early, labeling the demanding calendar as "excessive, psychologically and personally."

The 28-year-old switched her nationality from the Russian Federation to the Australian nation in the month of March, following voiced concerns regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ regulations and the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian region.

Her performance suffered with consistency throughout the season, failing to win a tournament and finishing with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses.

Kasatkina linked the emotional stress from her nationality switch as a significant factor to her challenges, which included not seeing her father for four years.

She expressed in a detailed post: "I've been not okay for a long time and, truth be told, my on-court showings reflect that."

"I have reached breaking point and unfortunately I am not alone," she added.

"Combine the situation the emotional and mental stress associated with my nationality switch and there is only so much I can deal with and endure as an single person."

"If this makes me weak, then so be it, I am not strong enough," she stated.

"However, I believe I am strong and will get stronger by taking a break and recharging."

"The moment has come I listened to myself for a change."

Other Players Similarly Halting Their Years Early

Ex-elite competitors Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa have also concluded their campaigns ahead of time in the past few weeks.

The Ukrainian star mentioned she had "not felt like myself", while Badosa has discussed the mental toll of an persistent back problem.

Additional athletes 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 recently, with multiple major winner Swiatek commenting the competitive year is "too long and intense."

WTA Requirements and Athlete Concerns

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) requires for elite athletes to compete in each Grand Slam, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments.

The bulk of 1000 events on the women's and men's circuits run for two weeks, as do all four major championships.

Competitors may miss mandatory events if they are hurt or have personal reasons, but they will receive no rankings points or financial rewards if they opt out.

Former world number one Djokovic, who has slimmed down his tournament appearances in lately to protect his body, has called on fellow professionals to be better aligned in advocating for reforms.