Kasatkina Says She "Didn't Have Much Choice" in Switching Allegiance to Australia
Daria Kasatkina has officially become an Australian tennis player, a move she describes as "emotional" but necessary given her outspoken stance on Russia's LGBTQ+ laws and the war in Ukraine.
The 27-year-old, currently ranked world number 12, has been living in Dubai and has not returned to Russia for over two years. Her application for permanent residency in Australia was recently approved, and she will represent her new country for the first time at this week’s Charleston Open in South Carolina.
“It’s my first official day as an Australian player,” Kasatkina said. “Honestly, it feels different—I’m not going to lie. It’s emotional for me. I have to get used to it. But I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my life representing Australia on the big stage.”
Kasatkina publicly came out as gay in 2022 during a video interview, where she also voiced her opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Following her comments, a Russian politician attempted to label her a "foreign agent"—a term used for individuals perceived as acting against national interests—but the effort was unsuccessful.
Reflecting on her decision to switch nationalities, Kasatkina acknowledged the lack of options available to her. “With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice,” she told reporters. “For me, being openly gay—if I want to be myself—I have to make this step, and I did it.”
She admitted it's still an adjustment. “I have to get used to it a little bit, because for a couple of years I didn’t hear anything. But it’s something nice to get used to.”
Kasatkina joins a growing list of Russia-born tennis players who have opted to change national allegiance, including Natela Dzalamidze, now representing Georgia, and Alexander Shevchenko, who plays under Kazakhstan’s flag.
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