Life as a professional tennis player is similar to a ‘hamster on a wheel’ due to its packed and lengthy calendar, according to Daria Kasatkina.
The world No.8 says her experience in the sport has prompted her to seek support from a Psychologist in recent weeks. The 25-year-old has experienced a mixed first quarter of the 2023 season which started with the Russian reaching the final of the Adelaide International. However, she then failed to win back-to-back matches at six consecutive tournaments before breaking that run in Charleston where she reached the semi-finals before losing to Ons Jabeur.
Besides the results on Tour, Kasatkina recently made a major change to her coaching team by splitting with Carlos Martinez after working with him since June 2019. She is now coached by Italy’s Flavio Cipolla who is said to be helping her ‘get back the creativity’ in her game.
Speaking to the media in Madrid on Sunday, Kasatkina says seeing a Psychologist helps her deal with life both on and off the court. She admits that the demands of playing on the Tour have taken its toll on her in the past. The tennis calendar begins in January and usually ends at the end of October. Then during the off-season, there are opportunities to earn extra money playing exhibition events, as well as undergoing training.
“It’s tough because we are like a hamster in a wheel, it’s nonstop, we don’t have many breaks, it’s a never-ending story; and at the end it’s all the same, every year it’s more or less the same story, every week,” Kasatkina said of the Tour calendar.
“You need someone to help you find something else because when you’re just starting to be professional, I remember my first year I was just in love with everything, I was so excited about everything. I could spend 24 hours in the tennis club and be so happy.
“Of course this changes when you are two years doing the same, seeing the same people, the same facilities, everything the same. Obviously you start to get a bit tired.”
Kasatkina, who first broke into the world’s top 10 in 2018, has endured tough times during her career. A series of disappointing results and confidence setbacks during 2019 led to her dropping to as low as 75th in 2020. Eventually, she worked her way back up the rankings but consistency continues to be an issue for her in the sport.
“It’s very difficult to find the answers and the way, on your own, so that’s why it’s good sometimes to find help from someone else; a professional who can show you the way, how to find other things to enjoy on tour.” She explains.
“Personally, for me it’s tough to travel every single week, I’m not a big fan of that. If I didn’t have to, I wouldn’t travel. I have to do it because of my job, and for me it’s tough. So that’s why I have to work on it.”
At the Madrid Open, Kasatkina sealed her place in the fourth round by defeating Leisa Tsurenko 6-4, 6-2. Tsurenko didn’t shake her hand following their clash due to the ongoing war between the two player’s countries. Even though she is one of the very few Russian athletes to have criticized her country over the conflict.
“What’s more sad is that we are still at war and the Ukranians have reasons not to shake hands with us. We waved at each other and I was happy about that,” journalist Jose Morgado quoted Kasatkina as saying afterwards.
Kasatkina will next play compatriot Veronika Kudermetova on Monday.
