Over the past few years, Daria Kasatkina has confronted a difficult reality: the country where she was born and built her tennis career no longer accepts her for who she is. After coming out as gay in 2022, Kasatkina faced an increasingly hostile environment in Russia, where the government introduced laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community. With her identity and values under threat, she made the life-altering decision to leave the country behind and start anew.
That decision became official recently when Kasatkina announced she had gained permanent residency in Australia and would now compete under the Australian flag. The move, while difficult, stemmed from a simple truth: if she wanted to live freely and openly, it couldn’t be in Russia. Instead, she found a new home where her identity was not just tolerated but embraced.
The transition happened relatively quickly once initial discussions began. Yet, as she prepared to go public with the news, she worried how the world would react. Much to her relief, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Messages of support poured in, not just from fans and the media but also from fellow athletes and Australians welcoming her into their fold.
A pivotal moment in her journey came in 2022 when she appeared in a YouTube documentary discussing Wimbledon’s ban on Russian players. In that same interview, she openly opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shared her sexuality for the first time. From that point on, Kasatkina found herself in a precarious position one of Russia’s most successful tennis players, yet alienated for her views and personal identity. Over time, it became clear she could no longer safely live in her homeland.
While the primary reason for her nationality change was the inability to live freely as a gay woman in Russia, the country’s political climate and its war in Ukraine also weighed heavily. She observed how Australians coexist peacefully, something that felt far removed from the reality she left behind. In her view, the invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point that only accelerated Russia’s shift in a direction she could no longer align with.
Now an established figure on the tour, Kasatkina is admired not only for her skill but for her authenticity and moral compass. She and her partner, former figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, are known for their shared YouTube vlog, capturing life behind the scenes on the tennis circuit. At tournaments, they are often seen together, with Zabiiako quietly supporting from the sidelines.
Despite her new nationality, questions remain such as whether she’ll be allowed to represent Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup. Normally, players cannot compete for a second nation, but exceptions are possible, and her circumstances are undeniably unique.
Meanwhile, practical matters are also being addressed. Fellow Russian-Australian player Daria Saville has been eagerly helping Kasatkina find an apartment in Melbourne, offering a warm welcome to her new life.
“I’m a one-month-old Australian,” she jokes, smiling. Representing her new country on the world stage brings a sense of pride and peace she hasn’t felt in a long time. For Kasatkina, this chapter is about more than tennis it’s about finally being able to live on her own terms.
