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World number 19 the tennis professional announced she is at her "limit" and chose to end her tennis season ahead of schedule, labeling the demanding schedule as "too much, mentally and emotionally."

The 28-year-old athlete changed her nationality from the Russian Federation to the Australian nation in the month of March, after public criticism regarding her nation's LGBTQ+ laws and the war in the Ukrainian region.

Her performance suffered for form this year, failing to win a tournament and concluding with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses.

Kasatkina linked the mental strain from her nationality switch as a significant factor to her challenges, which involve not visiting with her parent for several years.

She expressed in a lengthy statement: "I have been not okay for quite a while and, honestly speaking, my on-court showings show that."

"I am at breaking point and unfortunately I am in the same boat as others," she continued.

"Combine the mix the psychological pressure related to my nationality switch and I can only handle so much I can deal with and endure as an individual woman."

"If this makes me weak, then I accept it, I am not strong enough," she remarked.

"Nonetheless, I know I am resilient and will get stronger by taking a break and recharging."

"The moment has come I listened to myself for once."

Other Players Similarly Ending Their Years Early

Former top-five players Elina Svitolina and Badosa similarly concluded their campaigns early in the past few weeks.

Ukraine's Svitolina mentioned she had "not been feeling her usual self", while Badosa has spoken about the psychological impact of an ongoing back problem.

Additional athletes have also spoken about the impact of the tennis calendar.

A quintet of competitors withdrew due to injury in a pair of events in China last week, with multiple major winner Swiatek commenting the season is "excessively lengthy and demanding."

WTA Regulations and Player Concerns

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) requires for elite athletes to participate in every major tournament, ten premier events and six secondary competitions.

The majority of 1000 events on the WTA and men's ATP Tour run for two weeks, as do all four Grand Slams.

Players may miss required tournaments if they are hurt or have personal reasons, but they will receive no points for the standings or prize money if they opt out.

Former world number one Djokovic, who has slimmed down his schedule in recent years to protect his body, has urged fellow professionals to be more united in forcing change.