Daria Kasatkina suffers another major setback despite ending season early

Australia’s Daria Kasatkina has suffered a major blow, just weeks after announcing difficulties in dealing with mental issues. The 28-year-old has gone through a roller coaster of a season.

Off the court, earlier this year, it was announced that Kasatkina has successfully managed to change her nationality from Russia to Australia. At the time when it was announced, Kasatkina was ecstatic. While speaking to The Guardian back then, Kasatkina stated that she did not inform about that to any one because she was waiting for things to become official.

“I was not telling anyone before it came out,” said Kasatkina back then. “Dasha called me straightaway and she was so excited. She was so happy for me and I felt so happy because she was super-happy for me. It was so natural and now we’re real neighbours. I could not have a better neighbour. She’s always happy, she’s one of the happiest people, I’ve known her a long time, but it’s special that she feels so happy for me."

She continued by saying: "And now we’re part of one team. Of course it’s a big decision. It’s never easy to do something like that. But I am very conscious when I am making this step that I know this is better for my future. I ended up in the situation where I have to make this choice. It’s unfortunate, but I had to make it and I’m happy with the decision.Honestly, in the past couple of months, I have become a much happier person. I feel like a lot of weight has dropped off my shoulders. I am free and happy. For me this is the most important thing and … I feel this decision is right.”

On the court, however, things were far from perfect for Kasatkina. In 2025, Kasatkina featured in 41 matches in different competitions and managed to win just 19 of them. It was the first time since 2019 that Kasatkina finished the year with a win percentage of less than 50 percent.

Following such poor results, Kasatkina decided to withdraw from the Ningbo Open and end her season early too. Kasatkina, in an emotional Instagram post, stated that she is at a ‘break point’, and that she was not alone after going through mental and emotional challenges throughout the season.

“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,” she wrote. “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.”

She continued by writing: “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.”

That decision has clearly backfired for Kasatkina. According to a report published in the English media outlet Daily Express, the decision to withdraw from the Ningbo Open has costed Kasatkina 500 rating points as she was supposed to be the defending champion. That, in result means that Kasatkina has dropped 13 spots in the updated WTA rankings and is now placed on the 35th position in the WTA rankings. That effectively means that Kasatkina will start the 2026 Australian Open as an unseeded player which could see her drawn up against a tougher opponent.