World No. 12 Daria Kasatkina Switches Allegiance to Australia

Daria Kasatkina, the world No. 12 tennis player, has announced her decision to switch her allegiance to Australia after being granted permanent residency. The 27-year-old, who was born in Russia, expressed her joy at making Australia her home, stating it is a welcoming place where she feels safe, especially given her previous criticisms of the Kremlin and her concerns regarding her sexuality. Kasatkina, who has been vocal against the war in Ukraine, shared her gratitude towards her family and coaches in her announcement, acknowledging the challenges of this significant life change. As she transitions to representing Australia, she becomes the country's highest-ranked female player, following a career that began in Russia. Her move has garnered a warm welcome from Tennis Australia and the broader tennis community. Kasatkina's decision underscores the ongoing issues of safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia.