Daria Kasatkina, the No. 12 participant on this planet and an eight-time champion on the WTA Tour, mentioned Friday that she is switching her nationality from Russian to Australian.
Kasatkina, 27, mentioned in a press release posted to social media that she was “delighted” her software for everlasting residency had been accepted by the Australian authorities.
“Australia is a spot I like, is extremely welcoming and a spot the place I really feel completely at house,” Kasatkina posted to X. “I like being in Melbourne and look ahead to making my house there. As a part of this, I’m proud to announce that I will probably be representing my new homeland, Australia, in my skilled tennis profession from this level onwards.”
Born in Russia and having represented her native nation since her junior profession, which included a women’ French Open title in 2014, Kasatkina has been outspoken concerning the invasion of Ukraine, in addition to Russia’s therapy of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. She has been in a relationship with Russian determine skater Natalia Zabiiako, an Olympic silver medalist, since 2021.
She publicly introduced she was homosexual in a 2022 interview, and the revelation briefly dominated the Russian information cycle, with one politician calling her for to be declared a “overseas agent.”
Nonetheless, as Kasatkina informed ESPN final 12 months, sharing her fact “felt like a backpack of stones fell off my shoulders.”
Since then, Kasatkina and Zabiiako have began a well-liked YouTube channel documenting their travels on the tennis tour and their life collectively. Zabiiako informed ESPN in 2024 that they often hear from these in Russia who’re impressed by their bravery.
Kasatkina’s dad and mom stay in Russia, however she has not been again since February 2022 and has lived and skilled in Dubai for the previous a number of years.
Kasatkina on Friday mentioned “components of this choice haven’t been simple” and thanked her household, in addition to her coaches and others who’ve supported her all through her journey within the sport.
“I’ll at all times have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, however I’m thrilled to start out this new chapter in my profession and my life beneath the Australian flag,” Kasatkina wrote.
A 2022 French Open semifinalist who has been ranked as excessive as No. 8, Kasatkina is subsequent scheduled to play within the Charleston Open subsequent week. She received the title at that occasion — her first on the WTA degree — in 2017.
“Tennis Australia warmly welcomes Daria to the Australian tennis household,” it mentioned in a press release. “Efficient instantly, Daria will compete as an Australian and we want her all the very best for her upcoming tournaments.”
