Russian-born tennis star Daria Kasatkina says she can “finally breathe” ahead of her first Australian Open competing as a home player, following her acquisition of Australian citizenship.
The 28-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of world number eight, has spent the last few years competing under a neutral flag due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since publicly coming out as gay in the same year, Kasatkina has not returned to Russia, describing the ongoing conflict as a “nightmare.”
A Fresh Start in Australia
“Finally I can just breathe. I can live and just do my job and not be worried about the things which are not in my control,” Kasatkina told reporters. “The last season was very, very tough. I was trying to get out of this hole basically.”
She ended her 2025 season early, revealing in October that she had reached a mental and emotional breaking point. The switch to Australian citizenship represents a major personal and professional fresh start, allowing her to focus entirely on tennis and life in a supportive environment.
Australian Open Debut as a Home Player
Kasatkina, now ranked world number 48 and Australia’s new number two, will begin her Australian Open campaign against Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova. She is excited by the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd in Melbourne, which she says will be a “special chapter” in her career.
“For the first time I’m going to play in front of such a big home crowd, so that’s going to be special,” Kasatkina said. “I have to manage my nerves, because I’ve never been in this situation before. This is a good pressure, so I would choose this one compared to what I have been through in the past couple of years. Now basically I’m going to play a home Slam and that’s a really special chapter in my life.”
Context of Her Switch to Australia
Kasatkina’s move to represent Australia comes after a period of significant upheaval, both personally and professionally. She has described having “not much choice” over the decision, with safety and freedom to focus on tennis being key factors.
The transition allows her to compete freely and without distraction, a welcome relief after years of navigating restrictions and international uncertainty as a neutral athlete.
Other Highlights From the Australian Open Build-Up
While Kasatkina prepares for Melbourne Park, other players have also made headlines in the lead-up to the 2026 Australian Open:
- Mirra Andreeva, Kasatkina’s former compatriot and now Russia’s top women’s player, won her fourth WTA title at the Adelaide International, defeating Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-1. The 18-year-old teenager showed resilience by coming back from 3-0 down in the first set to win six consecutive games. Andreeva will face Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic in her opening round.
- Jakub Mensik captured the men’s title in Auckland with a 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) victory over Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.
- Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto claimed her first WTA title since 2023 by beating American Iva Jovic 6-4, 6-4 in Hobart.
The Australian Open begins on Sunday in Melbourne, with Kasatkina among the key players to watch, now competing as a home favourite for the first time in her career.
Key Takeaways
- Daria Kasatkina has gained Australian citizenship and will compete at the Australian Open as a home player.
- The 28-year-old has not returned to Russia since publicly coming out in 2022.
- She will face Nikola Bartunkova in her opening match at Melbourne Park.
- The tournament marks a fresh start for Kasatkina after a challenging 2025 season.
- Rising stars like Mirra Andreeva and experienced players such as Donna Vekic also headline the early rounds.
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