Daria Kasatkina says she feels “emotional” after switching allegiance from Russia to Australia

Daria Kasatkina switched nationality from Russia to Australia and has not been to the former country for over two years.

Daria Kasatkina says she feels “emotional” after switching allegiance from Russia to Australia

Daria Kasatkina (Image via X/The Tennis Channel)

Daria Kasatkina made a bold move by switching nationality from Russia to Australia. The WTA No.12 has not been to her native country for the past two years and has been living in Dubai and training in Spain. But after her application for permanent residency in Australia was accepted she looks forward to making it a home.

The top-ranked Aussie player was born in the Western Russian city of Tolyatti. She came out publicly as gay a few years ago and had been one of the few players to have spoken against the Russian war against Ukraine. However, Russia has designed the LGBTQ+ movement as extremist and those supporting it as terrorists.

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There have been serious criminal cases against LGBTQ+ people and their advocates since then. Three days ago, she switched allegiance to Australian informing the public via a post on social media.

For the first time this week, she sat with the press ahead of her Charleston Open first match in South Carolina and was asked how she felt about switching allegiances. The 27-year-old said that she felt emotional but didn’t have much choice.

It’s my first official day as an Australian player. Honestly, it feels different, I’m not going to lie. It’s emotional for m. 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. With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice [to switch allegiance].

Daria Kasatkina said to the press

Kasatkina is now the Australian No.1 after switching her allegiance. The World No.12 has reached a career-high ranking of World No.8 in the WTA rankings and has won eight career titles.

Daria Kasatkina says being openly gay is the best version of herself

Daria Kasatkina has always been a big critic of the Russian governing class. The Aussie criticized the government for the war in Ukraine, and during an interview, a Russian politician called her a foreign agent acting against Russia’s interest. During the aforementioned press conference, she revealed that she wanted to be herself by being openly gay.

Daria Kasatkina
Daria Kasatkina (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it. 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.

Daria Kasatkina said

Last year, Kasatkina revealed that she was expecting consequences from the Russian government following her criticism. However, it didn’t happen, and since she switched allegiance there hasn’t been any comment from the Russian Tennis Federation.

Daria Kasatkina reveals why she switched allegiance from Russia to Australia

Daria Kasatkina has established herself among the top players in the WTA. However, she has not had a good run at the Australian Open. In fact, her best run at Melbourne Park was in January when she reached the fourth round. Nonetheless, she revealed that Australia is incredibly welcoming to her.

Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there. As part of this, I am proud to announce that I will be representing my new homeland Australia, in my professional tennis career from this point onwards.

Daria Kasatkina wrote on Instagram

Kasatkina isn’t the only Russia-born player to switch nationality in recent years. Natela Dzalamidze and Alexander Shevchenko are now representing the flag of Georgia and Kazakhstan respectively.