Russian-born No.12 Daria Kasatkina Pledges Loyalty to Australia

Daria Kasatkina, the tennis sensation originally from Russia, has officially declared her intention to represent Australia on the WTA Tour, a move confirmed through her social media channels as she ranks No. 12 in the world.

The Australian government has approved her application for permanent residency, allowing her to compete on the tour as a neutral athlete after players from Russia and Belarus were prohibited from using their national flags in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“I am thrilled to announce that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian government,” Kasatkina shared.

“Australia is a country I cherish; it is immensely welcoming and gives me a sense of belonging.”

“I absolutely love my time in Melbourne and look forward to making it my home.”

“I am proud to declare that I will be competing for my new homeland, Australia, in all my professional tennis endeavours from this point forward.”

In 2022, Kasatkina publicly came out as gay during an interview and made the decision to leave Russia, which has stringent laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights.

During the same interview, she voiced her disapproval of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to a failed effort by a Russian politician to label her as a “foreign agent.”

In a statement made in 2024, Kasatkina mentioned that she was aware of the potential “consequences” of sharing her views.

“I will always hold a deep respect and fondness for my origins, but I am excited to embrace this new chapter of my career and life proudly under the Australian flag,” she concluded. “Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.”