Tennis star suffers fresh setback two weeks after announcing break from sport | Tennis | Sport
Daria Kasatkina has suffered a fresh blow after ending her season early to take a break from tennis. The Aussie released an emotional statement two weeks ago, explaining that she hadn’t been “fine for a long time”, and sharing her wish to step back from the sport.
Kasatkina withdrew from the last few tournaments of the season, including the Ningbo Open, where she was the reigning champion. And she’s now tumbled down the rankings after opting not to defend her title, falling 13 spots this week.
The 28-year-old lost 500 ranking points following this year’s Ningbo Open, and has now dropped to No. 35 in the world. It means that, when she returns to competition next year, she is unlikely to be seeded at the Australian Open.
Kasatkina decided to switch nationalities and started representing Australia instead of Russia earlier this year. The 2026 Aussie Open will be her first as a home player, but she’s now at risk of facing a top star in the early rounds.
The former world No. 8 has not played a match since she lost to Britain’s Sonay Kartal in Beijing almost a month ago, and ended her season early, also missing the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan.
But the biggest blow to Kasatkina’s ranking came this week after she did not attempt to defend her Ningbo title. In Kasatkina’s absence, Elena Rybakina went on to lift the trophy, beating Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final.
It’s been a tough season for the world No. 35, who revealed that her results had suffered while she struggled with the relentless nature of the tennis calendar, and with her nationality switch.
In an emotional statement on Instagram stories, Kasatkina explained: “I’ve been far from fine for a long time and truth be told, my results and performances show that, the fans aren’t stupid, they can see it too.
“I’ve kept a lid on my feelings because I don’t want to seem like I am moaning, weak, or god forbid ungrateful or unappreciative of this amazing life we live as professional tennis players.
“The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly, I am not alone.
“Add into the mix the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch, not being able to see my parents (4 years now for my father and I), plus the ongoing battles to gain full Australian competition eligibility, it’s a lot and there is only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman, all whilst competing with the best female athletes in the world.
“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I’m weak. However, I know I am strong and I will get stronger by being away, recharging, regrouping and reenergising. It’s time I listened to myself for a change, my mind, my heart and my body.”
Kasatkina is now looking forward to starting her 2026 season Down Under as an Australian player. For now, she’s enjoying a much-needed break, even if it comes at the cost of her ranking.
