Russian-born tennis star Daria Kasatkina has opened up about her decision to compete for Australia, saying she “didn’t have much choice” due to her sexuality.
Kasatkina is set to play under a new flag for the first time at the Charleston Open after her application for permanent residency in Australia was approved. She has been living in Spain and Dubai in recent years while competing as a neutral athlete, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice,” Kasatkina told Reuters. “For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.”
Currently ranked 12th in the world, Kasatkina came out as gay in 2022 and is in a relationship with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
Seeking Safety and Acceptance
Though same-sex relationships were decriminalized in Russia in 1993, LGBTQ rights have deteriorated in recent years. In 2013, the country passed a “gay propaganda” law, which has been used to suppress LGBTQ communities, according to the Council for Global Equality. In 2022, President Vladimir Putin expanded the law, making it illegal to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal.”
The ILGA-Europe organization ranks Russia as the worst country in Europe for LGBTQ rights, below Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Kasatkina announced on Instagram that she now plans to settle in Melbourne, calling Australia “a place I love, is incredibly welcoming, and a place where I feel totally at home.”
A New Beginning in Charleston
Kasatkina, 27, made her debut as an Australian player at the Charleston Open, defeating American Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-1. Despite the dominant scoreline, she admitted feeling pressure ahead of her first match representing her new country.
“Going on court today as an Aussie was stressful, honestly,” Kasatkina said on Tennis Channel. “This whole week has been stressful with all the changes and reactions.”
She recalled watching a Tennis Channel broadcast the night before her match and being surprised to see an Australian flag next to her name. “My reaction was, ‘Oh my God!’” she said.
Now embracing her new identity, Kasatkina is excited for the future. “It’s a really special moment for me to win my first match as an Australian player,” she said. “I never imagined something like this would happen to me.”
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