Gay Russian tennis star ‘didn’t have much choice’ over Australian nationality switch

Daria Kasatkina says she ‘didn’t have much choice’ over switching allegiance from Russia to Australia, citing her sexuality as a reason.

The world No.12 tennis star, who is openly gay, has not returned to Russia in two-and-a-half years, a country which has strict laws on LGBTQ+ rights.

Although sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex is legal in Russia, it is illegal for individuals to ‘promote homosexuality’.

Kasatkina was born in Tolyatti and has represented her country since 2011, helping Russia land a title at the team-based Billie Jean King Cup in 2021.

But the 27-year-old, who has publicly criticised Russia’s LGBTQ+ laws in the past, is representing Australia for the first time in her career this week.

Kasatkina is playing under the Australian flag at the Charleston Open in South Carolina and has been left ’emotional’ over her nationality switch.

The former Russian player, who had her application for permanent Australian residency accepted last week, said: ‘It’s my first official day as an Australian player.

‘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 has previously been targeted by Russian politicians, who called for the tennis player to be listed as a ‘foreign agent’ acting against the country’s interests.

The WTA Tour star, who has won eight singles titles, has also been a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has called for the war to end.

‘With everything going on in my previous country, I didn’t have much choice [to switch allegiance],’ Kasatkina added, having stated last year that she was expecting consequences for her comments.

‘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 was last in action at the Miami Open, where she lost to Hailey Baptiste in the opening round.

She next faces Lauren Davis or Jamie Loeb in the second round of the Charleston Open, having received a first-round bye due to her ranking.

Kasatkina is seeded fifth in South Carolina, looking to land her first WTA Tour trophy since her triumph at the Ningbo Open in China in October.

Her best Grand Slam performance to date came at the French Open three years ago, where Kasatkina enjoyed a run to the semi-finals.

Both of her parents were nationally ranked athletes in Russia, with her mother and father enjoying success in athletics and ice hockey respectively.