Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina will switch to representing Australia after her application for permanent residency in Australia was approved.
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04-06, 2025The 27-year-old player has openly criticized Russia's LGBTQ+ related laws and opposed the war in Ukraine. She has been living in Dubai and has not returned to Russia for the past two and a half years.
Last month, speculation arose that she had switched to Spanish nationality due to a flag mix-up next to her name at a WTA tour draw ceremony, but she denied this. Kasatkina stated on social media: "Australia is a place I love, it's very welcoming, and I feel completely at home here." She is looking forward to the new opportunities that Australian citizenship will provide.
Kasatkina, ranked 12th in the world and winner of eight singles titles, wrote in a statement: "I love being in Melbourne and look forward to settling down there. As part of that, I am proud to announce that from now on I will represent my new home, Australia, in my professional tennis career. Obviously, this decision was not easy. I want to thank my family, coaches, and everyone who has supported me in my tennis career so far."
Kasatkina came out as gay in a video interview in 2022 and left Russia, which has strict laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In the interview, she also criticized the war in Ukraine, after which a Russian politician attempted to have her labeled a "foreign agent," that is, someone engaged in activities that harm Russia's interests, but was unsuccessful. Last year, she stated that she expected her actions to have "consequences."
She added in her statement on Friday: "I will always respect and cherish my roots, but I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career and life under the Australian flag. Thank you for your understanding and continued support." She hopes to continue to grow her career in Australia.
