- Tennis star Daria Kasatkina, born in Russia, participated in the neutral flag
- Granted permanent stay in Australia and will represent its new nation
- Comes after getting up against Russia
Tennis star Daria Kasatkina, born in Russia, changes from Trouw to Australia after her application for permanent stay was accepted by the government.
The World No.12 plays on the Tour as a neutral athlete after Russian and White -Russian players were forbidden to compete under their own flags after the Moscow invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Kasatkina has returned to Russia for no more than two years after she had arrived as gay in a video interview in 2022, when she was also one of the few athletes in Russia to speak out against the war in Ukraine.
She said that it is unsafe and 'not possible' to return because of both her sexuality and her opposition against the war.
In an Instagram post on Saturday Kasatkina expressed its joy in obtaining permanent residence in Australia and was planning to move to Melbourne.
“I am happy to let you all know that my request for permanent stay was accepted by the Australian government,” she said.
Tennis star Daria Kasatkina, born in Russia, will now represent Australia after obtaining permanent residence
Kasatkina, depicted with Olympic art skater partner Natalia Zabiako, has been flying under a neutral flag for the past three years
The 27-year-old came out as gay and spoke against the Ukraine war before he was brought from Russia to Australia to continue her tennis career
'Australia is a place that I love is incredibly hospitable and a place where I feel completely at home.
'I like to be in Melbourne and look forward to making my house there.
“As part of this, I am proud to announce that from this point I will represent my new Homeland Australia in my professional tennis career.”
'There are of course parts of this decision that have not been easy.
'I want to express my thanks and thanks to my family, coaches and everyone who has supported me so far during my tennis trip.
'I will always have respect and good appreciation for my roots, but I am very happy to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag.
“Thank you all for your understanding and continuous support.”
The official account of Tennis Australia commented on the post and said 'Welcome to the Aussie Tennis Family', while good friend Daria Saville wrote 'New Neighbor'.
Kasatkina will call Melbourne at home while she wants to represent her new country on the Australian Open in January
The 27-year-old rose as high as No. 8 in the world and has eight WTA titles won best Grand Slam result at the French Open where she reached the semi-final in 2022.
Kasatkina follows Daria Saville, Ajla Tomljanovic and Arina Rodionova in making eligible switches.
She will clearly be the new ladies no. 1 of Australia and the highest ranked player in the country since Ash Barty retired.
Kasatkina leads Kim Birrell (No.68), Joint (no.80), Tomljanovic (no. 88), Olivia Gadecki (no. 99) and Saville (no. 105) under high -ranking Australians.
Kasatkina achieved the fourth round in Melbourne Park for the first time this year, while she is a former quarter -finalist of Wimbledon and has opened the fourth round of the US twice.
She won the Billie Jean King Cup (then Federation Cup) with Russia in 2020-21.
