Daria Kasatkina, one of the top tennis players in the world from Russia, announced Friday that she has decided to become a permanent resident of Australia and to represent that country internationally in her sport.
Kasatkina, the world No. 12, has been a rare athlete from Russia to criticize the country since President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. Kasatkina is also openly gay and regularly produces videos with her partner about their life together as they travel the globe on the tennis tour.
Kasatkina made the announcement on social media.
“Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home,” Kasatkina wrote. “I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.”
Kasatkina went on to say that parts of the decision have not been easy. “I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag.”
Kasatkina made headlines in 2022 when she released a video in which she publicly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During a series of interviews with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko in Barcelona that were published on YouTube, she described the war as a “full-blown nightmare” and said the end of the war was what she wanted most. She also came out as gay.
Kasatkina, who goes by “Dasha,” said she wanted to train with and play against players “who don’t have to worry about being bombed.” She expressed empathy for Ukrainian players who have been forced to leave their homes and call tennis academies in Western Europe to ask for a place to train while the war rages in their country.
Asked whether she would be worried for her safety if she decided to return home, Kasatkina replied, “Yes, I have thought about that.” Andrey Rublev, another top Russian player — who wrote “No war please” on a television camera after a match — appeared in that video with Kasatkina. The two are close friends.
Kasatkina’s comments about her sexuality were nearly as controversial at a time when Russia was increasingly forcing members of the LGBTQ+ community to live secret lives.
“Living in the closet is the hardest thing. It’s impossible,” she said.
Asked whether two women would ever be able to walk down the street holding hands in Russia, she said, “Never.”
(Photo: Christopher Pike / Getty Images)