Daria Kasatkina’s nationality switch was confirmed on Monday with the WTA rankings now being updated to reflect that the Russian-born tennis star will now represent Australia.

The 27-year-old, who has won eight singles titles on the WTA Tour during her career, had been competing as a neutral athlete prior to this week. But her residency application has now been approved by the Australian govenrment and she will now represent the country on the global stage. 

Kasatkina, who is currently ranked 12th on the WTA Tour, was born in the city of Tolyatti, which is located in Samara Oblast region of Russia.

She has not returned to the country in over two years after the 27-year-old star came out as gay in 2022.

‘Today, the rankings updated, and it’s my first official day as an Australian player,’ Kasatkina said on Monday while speaking to reporters.

She also dropped a few Aussie colloquial terms, referring to members of the media as ‘mates’ in a nod to her new citizenship.

Tennis star Daria Kasatkina has spoken out on her decision to change nationalities from Russia to Australia, telling reporters that she ‘didn’t have much choice’  

The Russian-born tennis player (left), came out as gay in 2022 and has been going out with Natalia Zabiiako (right), a figure skater, for three years 

‘Honestly, it feels different, I’m not going to lie. It’s emotional for me. I have to get used to it. But I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my life representing Australia on the big stage.’

Kasatkina had initially announced that she was gay during an interview in 2022. During the clip, she criticised Russia’s attitudes and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights while also denouncing the war in Ukraine.

During that interview, she said ‘living in the closet is impossible. It is too hard, it is pointless. Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters, and f*** everyone else.’

The 27-year-old, who has been going out with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako for nearly three years also said back in 2022 that she would ‘never’ be able to hold her partner’s hand in the street.

But on Monday, she opened up further about her decision to move to Australia, telling reporters: ‘With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice [to switch allegiance].’

‘For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.

‘I have to get used to it a little bit because, for a couple of years, I didn’t hear anything. But it’s something nice to get used to.’

Kasatkina, who reached the round of 16 at this summer’s Australian Open before being knocked out by Emma Navarro, now has plans to settle in Melbourne.

Kasatkina (pictured left with girlfriend Natalia) said she was ’emotional’ about the move and was looking forward to settling down in Melbourne   

‘I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there,’ she said.

The tennis star had been splitting her time between Spain and Dubai in recent years but is looking forward to getting settled into life Down Under.

‘Coming to Australia every year, seeing how much support the players from Australia get there — I never experienced something like that in my life,’ she added.

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

After she had announced the news that her residency had been approved on social media, Tennis Australia’s official account commented on the post, saying: ‘Welcome to the Aussie tennis family’.

‘Dasha Down Under! A warm welcome,’ the Australian Open’s official Instagram account added. 

She is not the first tennis player to change nationalities, with Natela Dzalamide and Alexander Shevchenko both switching to represent Georgia and Kazakhstan respectively.

Saville and Arina Rodionova, who were also both born in Russia, have made the switch too, with Saville also commenting on Kasatkina’s Instagram post: ‘New neighbour,’ adding a heart emoji.

After announcing the news she had received her permanent residency on social media, Kasatkina has received welcoming messages from Tennis Australia and the Australian Open 

Saville had gained Australian citizenship in 2014, with Kasatkina revealing the Aussie keeps sending her recommendations on where to live.

‘She’s non-stop… she keeps sending me some stuff like the apartments and the houses around her location,’ Kasatkina added.

The 27-year-old’s last win on the WTA Tour came in 2024 in Ningbo. Prior to that, she clinched victory in Eastbourne.

Her highest finish at a Grand Slam came in 2022 where she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros.