Daria Kasatkina 'didn't have much choice' over Australia switch from Russia, excited for 'new chapter'
Published 01/04/2025 at 10:02 GMT+1
World No. 12 Daria Kasatkina has switched her allegiance from Russia to Australia. The 27-year-old, who is openly gay, has been critical of Russia’s LGBTQ+ laws and the war in Ukraine. She is playing under the Australia flag for the first time this week at the Charleston Open. "With everything going on in my previous country, I didn't have much choice," she explained.
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Daria Kasatkina says she "didn’t have much choice" after switching her allegiance from Russia to Australia - and is excited for a "new chapter" in her career.
The Russian-born 27-year-old had been competing under a neutral flag since 2022, when players from Russia and Belarus were barred from playing under their flags following the invasion of Ukraine.
Kasatkina is the only openly gay player in the WTA top 100 and has been critical of Russia’s LGBTQ+ laws and the war in Ukraine, which she has previously described as a "nightmare".
She will play under the Australian flag for the first time this week in Charleston and, as the world No. 12, will become the new Australian No. 1.
"With everything going on in my previous country, I didn't have much choice," she said about the decision to switch allegiance.
"For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it."
Kasatkina has not returned to Russia in two and a half years and is set to make Melbourne, where the Australian Open is held, her new home.
"Honestly, it feels different, I'm not going to lie. It's emotional for me," said Kasatkina.
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"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 holds a 9–8 win-loss record this season and is set to play her first match at the Charleston Open on Wednesday, April 2.
"Coming to Australia every year, seeing how much support the players from Australia get there - honestly, I never experienced something like that in my life," Kasatkina added to Bounces.
"I'm not used to it, so it's also going to be interesting to me to see how I'm going to feel coming back to Australia and play as a new Aussie.
"It's going to be emotional, for sure, but I think I'm going to enjoy it. [I'm] really looking forward to it. First step is Charleston; still a long way to go before the next year, but yeah, I'm really happy and excited.
"I've gotten so many messages from my now-teammates and also the representatives of Tennis Australia. I've gotten a lot of support, nice messages. I cannot wait to meet with all of them in person and talk and go through the process and just go through what happens."
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