Women’s world No.12 Daria Kasatkina will play for Australia after her application for permanent residency was accepted by the federal government.
Women’s world No.12 Daria Kasatkina will play for Australia after her application for permanent residency was accepted by the federal government.
By Scott Spits
March 29, 2025 — 10.25am
Russian-born tennis star Daria Kasatkina is switching allegiances to Australia after her application for permanent residency was accepted by the federal government.
The world No.12 has been playing on the tour as a neutral athlete after Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing under their own flags following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In an Instagram post, Kasatkina expressed her joy in gaining permanent residency in Australia.
“I am delighted to let you all know that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian Government,” she wrote.
“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.”
The 27-year-old’s announcement was enthusiastically welcomed by Tennis Australia.
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“Daria Kasatkina has informed us that she has been granted permanent residency by the Australian government,” a TA spokesperson said.
“Tennis Australia warmly welcomes Daria, currently ranked world No.12, to the Australian tennis family.
“Effective immediately, Daria will compete as an Australian and we wish her all the best for her upcoming tournaments.”
Two years ago Kasatkina spoke of the relief she experienced after coming out as gay and speaking out about “taboo” topics in Russia such as LGBTQ+ rights.
“To be honest it helped me,” said the 25-year-old, who revealed her relationship with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
“I remember after saying all these things I felt just much better.
“I think it was one of the best decisions of the last year and I’m happy with the outcome, happy with how the things were going after that.”
Kasatkina went public on Instagram about her relationship with Zabiiako, conducting an interview with a Russian blogger not long after Wimbledon, the grasscourt major where she and other Russian and Belarusian players were banned.
In the interview with Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina said: “So many subjects are taboo in Russia.
“This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.
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“Seriously, if there is a choice, no one would choose being gay. Why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?”
Kasatkina rose as high as No.8 in the world and has won eight WTA titles – her best grand slam result coming at the French Open where she reached the semi-finals in 2022.
Kasatkina, then based in Barcelona, couldn’t play Wimbledon that same year because of the decision to ban her and other Russian and Belarusian players. The All-England Club changed its stance the next year, allowing such players to compete as neutrals.
With Reuters
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