Daria Kasatkina has announced that her application for permanent residency in Australia has been accepted — and she'll be representing her "new homeland" from now on.
The 27-year-old out lesbian tennis star originally hails from Russia, and is currently ranked No. 12 in the world. She told reporters at the Charleston Open, via The Athletic, that the decision is "emotional for me," but that "being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.”
Kasatkina first made the announcement that her application for permanent residency had been accepted by the Australian Government on Friday in a post to Instagram, thanking her fans for "all for your understanding and continued support."
"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. As part of this, I am proud to announce that I will be representing my new homeland, Australia, in my professional tennis career from this point onwards."
Kasatkina revealed her relationship with Russian Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako in July, 2022 during an interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko. She said at the time that "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**k everyone else.” She also criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating, "I want this to end as soon as possible, but unfortunately it’s not depending on us."
A 2022 Russian anti-LGBTQ+ law expanded a 2013 ban against spreading “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” to minors to also include adults, making it illegal to promote or “praise” LGBTQ+ relationships, publicly express non-heterosexual identities, or suggest that they are “normal.” The law also banned all advertising, media, and online resource books, films, and theater productions that affirm the LGBTQ+ community or individuals.
"Obviously, there are parts of this decision that have not been easy," Kasatkina continued in her Instagram post. "I want to express my thanks and gratitude to my family, coaches, and everyone who has supported me throughout my tennis journey to day. 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."
