Kasatkina is now fully Australian: "It's not just a passport, it's the acceptance they have had with me"

Fernando Murciego | 17 Jan 2026 | 13.55

Daria Kasatkina celebrates being completely Australian now. Source: Getty

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Daria Kasatkina is back in every sense. We'll see her back on the court, but she won't be the same person as in 2025, the one who ended her season early after suffering from severe depression.

And what better way to start than at the 2026 Australian Open, at home. A few days ago, we saw her become an Australian citizen in a fully legal manner, pledging allegiance. Few can symbolize a stage change, but this is precisely what Daria Kasatkina has been pursuing lately. It means leaving behind what she doesn't resonate with to embrace a new identity, while still holding on to what matters most inside. During the Media Day, we could hear her talk about all these topics, exuding the excitement of someone who seems to be starting anew.

Pressure of playing at home

“The pressure I feel is positive; I would choose this pressure over what I have experienced in recent years. Let's call it 'fun pressure' (laughs). For the first time, I will play in front of such a large crowd at home, so it will be very special. I will have to manage my nerves because I have never been in this situation before. I am super proud; it is an extremely positive change. Last year was a transition, a strange year that led me to where I am now. I am very happy about all of this.”

Mental renewal

“I am in a better place than I was at the end of last year, that's for sure. The most important thing is that I am mentally well, much better. That is the most important thing; at the end of last season, I was not in a good place. It was very difficult moments. I was trying to get out of that hole, but it is never easy. I am happy with the progress I have been making, so now it's about competing well, focusing only on tennis, which is what I have been seeking for a long time. The most important thing for me is that now I just have to talk about tennis.”

Leaving behind her 2025

“Last year was a very strange season; I was performing better at Grand Slams, where typically it was the opposite. Mentally, I was drained, so in the smaller tournaments, it was very difficult for me to push as hard as in Grand Slams, where motivation is inherent. This is in the past, but I needed that year for something, to develop something within myself. I know it was not my best season; I went through difficult moments in my life, but now I have more experiences, so it was time to return to the pure sport. This is what I have been looking for in recent years, and finally, I am in that position. I will work hard to compete as much as I can and enjoy it.”

Kasatkina explains what it means to be Australian

“I cannot even describe what it means; it is not just about the passport. It is about acceptance, you could say. The whole process has been amazing; seeing the support of the people and other citizens has been truly incredible. I couldn't imagine receiving this welcome, considering where I came from. The point is that now I am completely Australian, and I couldn't be prouder and more grateful. It is a responsibility, but it is what I was looking for. I don't know if I will ever be able to give back the same amount of love that this country has given me; it is super special. I can't wait to wear the green and gold for the first time; I am really looking forward to that moment.”

Daria Kasatkina training in Melbourne. Source: Getty

Understanding the Australian culture

“In recent years, I suffered from things that were out of my control, but they were mentally exhausting. Now, I don't have those issues, so it will give me space to fill it with good positive thoughts and more relaxation. I love talking to the people here; it's nice to talk to someone who is inherently positive and supportive from the start. Initially, I even thought something was wrong because I didn't understand. However, I later realized that that is just how they are, so I accepted that they are good people. It's easier to live with this. I have been coming to Australia for about 13 years straight, and I didn't notice many things; I was always very focused on tennis. Now I experience things differently; this is an ideal place to live and raise your children. I feel fortunate to represent this country.”

Dealing with hate on social media

“All I can do is turn off my comments section on social media and direct messages; I'm not worried. Unfortunately, I know it will continue; I will continue to be harassed online, sometimes even by journalists with disrespectful statements. At the end of the day, what you want is to completely cut ties with this, forget about social media; you tend not to use it. Why do I have to cut off something because of other people? Well, I don't know, but I have to do it. It hurts a bit, but at the end of the day, we are public figures, so anyone can have an opinion about you. This is our job; in a way, you have to protect yourself from these people since we currently don't have a powerful tool against those who insult you when you lose 7-6 in the third set.”

The dream of performing well in Melbourne

“Last year, I achieved my best result in Australia; for the first time, I made it to the second week, but now it doesn't make sense to think about my chances. Now my priority is to regain my confidence and my mental level on the court because physically I am back. I will take it game by game, tournament by tournament, working hard and trying to reclaim my place. I am working very hard on all aspects of my game, including my mental strength. Honestly, I do not regret how I am doing my job; this is the most important thing.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kasatkina ya es totalmente australiana: “No es solo un pasaporte, es la aceptación que han tenido conmigo”