Daria Kasatkina embraces new start as Australian tennis No.1 after defecting from Russia

Daria Kasatkina is both emotional and excited about playing tennis under the Australian flag after switching her allegiance from Russia.

The 12th-ranked Katsatkina is playing her first tournament - the Charleston Open in South Carolina - as an Australian after announcing on the weekend that her application for permanent residency had been accepted by the government.

The 2022 French Open semi-finalist immediately became Australia’s new women’s No.1 and the country’s highest-ranked player since Ash Barty retired.

She revealed that Tennis Australia had reached out to her agent a few months ago to gauge her interest, with the 27-year-old previously saying it was “unsafe” to return to Russia due to her sexuality and opposition to the war with Ukraine.

“Tennis Australia, they made this step forward to me and we worked through this process and stuff,” Kasatkina said in a pre-match interview.

“Without their support and initiative, I don’t think this would be possible.”

A former Charleston champion and tournament fifth seed, Kasatkina said that the move marked the start of a new chapter.

“Today, the rankings updated, and it’s my first official day as an Australian player,” said Kasatkina, who has won eight WTA singles titles.

“It feels different, I’m not going to lie, it’s emotional for me ... but I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my life and represent Australia on the big stage.

“With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice.

“For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it ... I’m really happy to have this privilege to be part of this beautiful country.”

She follows the likes of Daria Saville, Ajla Tomljanovic and Arina Rodionova in making eligibility switches.

Currently splitting her time between Spain and Dubai, Kasatkina planned to settle in Melbourne and was already looking forward to playing at her home slam, where she reached the fourth round this year.

“The first match is going to be special,” Kasatkina said.

“Coming to Australia every year, seeing how much support the players from Australia get there - I never experienced something like that in my life.

“It’s going to be emotional, for sure, but I think I’m going to enjoy it.”

She said she had been warmly welcomed by fellow Australian players with her long-time friend Saville (nee Gavrilova), who competed for Russia until 2014, regularly reaching out.

“She’s non-stop ... she keeps sending me some stuff like the apartments and the houses around her location (in Melbourne),” said Kasatkina, who is in a relationship with Olympic silver medal-winning Russian ice skater Natalia Zabiiako.

Croatian-born Tomljanovic, who switched allegiance to Australia just prior to Saville, said she was excited to have Kasatkina in the green and gold.

“I’m thrilled - she’s an amazing person, an amazing player and I just want her to be able to play for us in the BJK Cup and Olympics,” Tomljanovic said.

“I think she fits everything Aussie, so I’m excited for her.”