Daria Kasatkina Switches Allegiance To Australia Amid Controversy

Daria Kasatkina, the 27-year-old Russian-born tennis star, has officially switched her sporting nationality to Australia, marking a significant new chapter in her life and career. This decision comes after her outspoken opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine and her courageous coming out as gay, which has shaped her identity and choices over the past few years.

Kasatkina, who is currently ranked 12th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings, announced her decision on April 1, 2025, after obtaining permanent residency in Australia. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed her excitement about representing her new homeland: "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." This marks her first official day as an Australian player, as she prepares to compete at the Charleston Open in South Carolina.

Born in Tolyatti, Russia, Kasatkina has had a successful career, winning eight WTA titles and reaching the semifinals at the French Open in 2022. She also won silver in doubles at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and was part of the Russian squad that claimed the Billie Jean King Cup in 2021. However, her life took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she publicly came out during an interview with Russian sports blogger Vitya Kravchenko and criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "When the [full-scale] war started and everything turned into hell, it hit me hard," she recalled. "I just thought, screw it. I couldn’t keep hiding. I needed to speak up about my position on the war and my sexual orientation."

Kasatkina's relationship with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako has further influenced her decision to distance herself from Russia, a country where LGBTQ+ rights have been increasingly restricted. After a series of laws were enacted to suppress LGBTQ+ visibility and rights, including a 2023 ruling that classified LGBTQ+ individuals as 'extremists,' Kasatkina felt she had no choice but to seek a more accepting environment. "With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice (but to switch allegiance)," she stated. "For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step and I did it."

Despite the challenges she faced, including the emotional toll of leaving her home country, Kasatkina has embraced her new identity as an Australian athlete. She remarked, "Honestly, it feels different, I’m not going to lie. It’s emotional for me. 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." Her decision has been met with widespread support from the Australian tennis community, including a warm welcome from Tennis Australia, which published a profile of her career and expressed excitement for her upcoming tournaments.

However, her decision has not come without backlash from some former Russian athletes and lawmakers. Four-time Olympic biathlon champion Alexander Tikhonov was particularly vocal, labeling Kasatkina a 'traitor' for her decision to represent Australia. He stated, "Of course I call people like that traitors, because I myself am a true patriot. She’s in the wrong — a lot was invested in her, but she earned everything [abroad]." State Duma deputy Viacheslav Fetisov also criticized her parents, suggesting that her upbringing influenced her decision to abandon her Russian identity.

Yet, not all reactions from the Russian sports community have been negative. Sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev defended Kasatkina, stating, "To call her a traitor — that’s just low." His remarks sparked backlash from pro-war commentators, highlighting the polarizing nature of her decision.

As Kasatkina prepares for her debut match under the Australian flag against American Lauren Davis at the Charleston Open, her fellow players have expressed their support. Ajla Tomljanovic, an Australian player, shared her excitement about Kasatkina joining the team, saying, "I think she’s an amazing person, an amazing player, and I just want her to be able to play for us in the Billie Jean King Cup and the Olympics. I think that she is an incredible addition."

Kasatkina's journey has been one of resilience and courage, as she navigates the complexities of identity, nationality, and personal truth in a world where such issues remain contentious. Her decision to represent Australia is not just a change in nationality; it is a powerful statement about her commitment to living authentically and embracing a future where she can be herself.

As the tennis world watches, Daria Kasatkina stands at the forefront of a new era, ready to compete and inspire others with her story of bravery and self-acceptance. Her first match as an Australian player is set to begin, and fans are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds.