BBC Sport · Apr 1, 2025
Kasatkina 'had no choice' over Australia switch
Image caption, Daria Kasatkina has won eight singles titles on the WTA Tour Daria Kasatkina says she feels "emotional" after switching allegiance from Russia to Australia but "didn't have much choice" after publicly criticising her country's LGBTQ+ laws and the war in Ukraine.
Kasatkina has been living in Dubai and has not returned to Russia in two and a half years.
The 27-year-old had her application for permanent residency accepted last week and will represent Australia for the first time at this week's Charleston Open in South Carolina.
"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," said the world number 12.