Melbourne, Australia (AP) – The Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina said that she transformed allegiances into Australia after her request for permanent residence was accepted by the Australian government.
Kasatkina, 27, was French semi-finalist in 2022 and is currently classified 12th. The best career ranking of the champion in the simple WTA was eighth.
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Kasatkina played on the tour as a neutral athlete After the Russian and Belarusian players were prohibited from competing under their own flags following the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow in 2022.
In an Instagram publication Kasatkina said on Friday that she was happy to have obtained a permanent residence in Australia. Tennis Australia later confirmed that she was now Australian citizen and would represent Australia.
“I am delighted to let you know that my request for permanent residence was accepted by the Australian government,” said Kasatkina. “Australia is a place that I like, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel completely at home.
“I love being in Melbourne and I can’t wait to go my house there.
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Kasatkina said in 2023 that she had fled Russia because she did not feel safe “as a gay person who opposes war”. Three years ago, Kasatkina became public with her relationship with the Russian Olympic artistic skater Natalia Zabiiako and in the past two years, he lives in Spain and Dubai.
Meanwhile, she was also a vocal criticism of the Russian war with Ukraine.
Tennis Austrlaia said on Saturday that it had been informed that Australia had granted a permanent residence in Kasatkina.
“Tennis Australia warmly welcomes Daria to the Australian tennis family,” he said in a statement. “Immediately, Daria will compete as an aliconian and we wish her all the best for her next tournaments.”
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
