Russian-Born Tennis Star Switches Nationality to Australia
Tennis star Daria Kasatkina officially changed her nationality from Russia to Australia this week, with the WTA rankings now listing her as an Australian player. The 27-year-old athlete, who ranks 12th in the world, opted for this significant move after living away from Russia for over two years.
Kasatkina now joins the ranks of athletes who benefit from the support of Australian fans and recently launched sportsbooks that back homegrown talent competing on the international stage. These sports wagering platforms offer great bonuses and promotions and allow fans to bet on a wide range of sports. Her transition marks a major shift in her professional identity after she previously competed as a neutral athlete.
Born in Tolyatti in the Samara Oblast region of Russia, Kasatkina came out as gay in 2022. She stated that her sexual orientation played a key role in her decision to seek Australian residency, as Russia maintains strict laws against LGBTQ+ expression. The tennis player also spoke against the war in Ukraine during that same period.
For almost three years, Kasatkina has dated figure skater Natalia Zabiiako. The couple faced limitations on public displays of affection in Russia, where such actions might lead to legal consequences. Her move to Australia represents more than just a change in sporting allegiance but a quest for personal freedom.
Kasatkina plans to settle in Melbourne, a city she visits annually for the Australian Open. She reached the round of 16 at this year’s tournament before Emma Navarro eliminated her from the competition. Before this nationality change, Kasatkina divided her time between Spain and Dubai.
The tennis community warmly welcomed her transition. Tennis Australia and the Australian Open official accounts posted supportive messages on social media after she announced her permanent residency approval. Fellow tennis player Daria Saville, who also switched from Russian to Australian nationality in 2014, welcomed Kasatkina as her new neighbor.
Throughout her career, Kasatkina won eight singles titles on the WTA Tour. Her most recent victory came in Ningbo in 2024, preceded by a win in Eastbourne. Her best Grand Slam result occurred at Roland Garros in 2022, where she advanced to the semifinals.
Kasatkina follows other tennis players who have changed nationalities. Natela Dzalamide and Alexander Shevchenko switched to represent Georgia and Kazakhstan, respectively. Arina Rodionova, another Russian-born player, also made Australia her new home country.
The nationality change represents a fresh chapter for Kasatkina both professionally and personally. Her move brings her to a country with progressive LGBTQ+ rights legislation, allowing her to live openly with her partner. As she adapts to representing Australia, fans anticipate seeing her trademark playing style now under the Southern Cross flag.
While she adjusts to hearing her name announced as an Australian competitor, Kasatkina looks forward to the passionate support from Australian tennis fans, something she reports never experiencing before in her career.
Her switch also brings practical benefits for tournament travel, as an Australian passport grants visa-free access to many countries that proved difficult with Russian documentation. Tennis pundits expect her game might flourish under reduced stress, potentially pushing her ranking into the top ten by year’s end.
