Daria Kasatkina to Represent Australia in Tennis

Russian-born tennis player Daria Kasatkina, currently ranked world number 12, has been granted permanent residency in Australia and will now represent the country in her professional tennis career. Kasatkina has been competing as a neutral athlete due to the ban on Russian players following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Known for her outspoken criticism of Russia’s LGBTQ+ policies and the war in Ukraine, Kasatkina has not returned to Russia since coming out as gay in 2022. In an Instagram post, she expressed her love for Australia, particularly Melbourne, and gratitude towards her supporters, while acknowledging the difficulty of her decision. Kasatkina has previously achieved a career-high ranking of eighth and has won eight WTA singles titles, with her best Grand Slam result being a semi-final appearance at the French Open in 2022. The move marks a significant personal and professional shift for Kasatkina as she embarks on a new chapter under the Australian flag.