AdvertisementAdvertisementAug 30, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Daria Kasatkina of Australia in action against Naomi Osaka of Japan in the third round of the womenÕs singles at the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn ImagesTennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 30, 2025 Australia's Daria Kasatkina reacts during her third round match against Japan's Naomi Osaka REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo30 Dec 2025 04:56PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST Dec 30 : Australia's Daria Kasatkina said she feels mentally recharged ahead of her return to tennis at the Brisbane International after taking a six-week mental health break.Russian-born Kasatkina, who switched nationality in March, shut her season down in October citing the mental strain of a heavy tour schedule and emotional stress from her battle to gain full Australian competition eligibility."For us tennis players, it is very difficult to accept that you need a break," she told Australian Associated Press on Tuesday."We have tournament after tournament and we have to defend the points from the previous season which is an additional anxiety. I just felt that if I pushed for longer I would have got in a deeper hole."Kasatkina, who has not returned to Russia in over two years after coming out as gay and speaking out against the war in Ukraine, said it took her some time to be at ease away from tennis."The first three weeks was a disaster," she said."It was really difficult. I just wasn't enjoying it. I found myself being super unhappy and in a really dark place."After six weeks I feel like I am finally recharged."I needed to do this to understand there are certain limits you can push through and then you have to give yourself space to stay a sane person."The Brisbane International, one of the tune-up events for the Australian Open Grand Slam, begins on Sunday.Source: ReutersNewsletterRecommended ReadSubscribe to CNA's Recommended ReadA single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST