Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Trades Russian Flag for Australian One

Daria Kasatkina switches allegiance to Australia, ending her representation of Russia. Catch up on the latest tennis news and updates.

Russian-born tennis player Daria Kasatkina, currently ranked 12th in the world, announced on Friday that she will now represent Australia in international competitions. This decision comes after Kasatkina's application for permanent residency in Australia was accepted by the government.

Kasatkina has been competing as a neutral athlete on the tour since Russian and Belarusian players were banned from representing their countries due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kasatkina has been an outspoken critic of the war and has also been open about her personal life, having come out as gay. As a result, she has not returned to Russia in over two years and currently resides in Dubai.

In a message posted on Instagram, Kasatkina expressed her affection for Australia, stating, “Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home.” She also shared her enthusiasm for making Melbourne her home, saying, “I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.”

Daria Kasatkina announced that she will begin representing Australia immediately, marking a new chapter in her career. She acknowledged that the decision was not without its challenges, saying, “Obviously, there are parts of this decision that have not been easy.”

Daria Kasatkina to represent Australia moving forward 🇦🇺

Read her full statement below ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/iRpGn2qR36

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 28, 2025

Kasatkina expressed her gratitude to her loved ones, coaches, and supporters, thanking them for their unwavering support. She also reflected on her roots, stating, “I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag.”

At 27 years old, Kasatkina has already achieved significant success in her tennis career. She has reached a career-high ranking of world number eight and has claimed eight WTA titles. Her best Grand Slam performance came in 2022 when she advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open.