Daria Kasatkina sums up how she felt before walking on court to represent Australia for the first time

Follow us on Google Discover

Daria Kasatkina made a big switch ahead of this week’s Charleston Open that got the tennis world talking.

Former world number eight Kasatkina recently switched nationalities from Russian to Australian.

The 27-year-old took to Instagram earlier this week, sharing her excitement ahead of her first tournament as an Aussie.

“I am proud to announce that I will be representing my new homeland, Australia, in my professional tennis career from this point onwards,” she said.

Making her debut as an Australian in the second round of the Charleston WTA 500 event, Kasatkina took on home-favorite Lauren Davis.

Securing the win in straight sets, the world number 12 now reveals how she felt before the match.

Daria Kasatkina admits she was ‘stressed’ before her first win as an Australian

Speaking after her 6-1, 6-1 win over Davis, Kasatkina shared how she felt hearing the announcers introduce her as an Australian for the first time.

“Well, it happened twice. The walk in on court and on the warm up, I couldn’t handle my smile,” she said.

“Even though I was a bit stressed and nervous before the match, because I also have some changes in my life.

“I just couldn’t handle the smile.

“It’s been a tough couple of years, I’m really happy to stand here and feel like this.”

In an interview with Tennis Channel, Kasatkina further explained how she felt in the lead-up to her first match as an Australian athlete.

“Going on court today, as an Aussie this time was stressful, honestly, this week in general was a bit stressful with all the changes, with all the feedback,” she said.

“So when tennis players step on court, all the stress explodes, so that’s how it works.

“I’m really happy with how I handled that situation today because it was not easy, honestly.”

Kasatkina will play either Sofia Kenin or Belinda Bencic in the third round, as she looks to return to the final in Charleston, where she lost in 2024.

Daria Kasatkina’s run to the 2024 Charleston final

Kasatkina traveled to Charleston in 2024, searching for a second title at the event, having won previously in 2017.

She battled hard during the early rounds to reach the final, requiring a deciding set in three of her four matches in South Carolina.

• 2024 Charleston Open SF – Daria Kasatkina beat [1] Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
• 2024 Charleston Open QF – Daria Kasatkina beat Jaqueline Cristian, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
• 2024 Charleston Open 3R – Daria Kasatkina beat [15] Anhelina Kalinina, 6-1, 6-4
• 2024 Charleston Open 2R – Daria Kasatkina beat Ashlyn Krueger, 6-3, 0-6, 6-1

America’s Danielle Collins stood between Kasatkina and a second career Charleston Open title as the pair battled it out in the final.

Winning just three games against Collins, Kasatkina fell to a convincing 2-6, 1-6 defeat, losing her fifth WTA final in a row.

Daria Kasatkina says it would be an ‘honor’ to represent Australia at the Billie Jean King Cup

Having won her first match as an Australian, Kasatkina spoke about the prospect of representing the nation at the Billie Jean King Cup.

“I wish! The Billie Jean King Cup is still in the process, but honestly, that would be such an honor for me to do that,” said Kasatkina.

“I’ve got amazing teammates now, I mean, Australia is known for this team spirit.

“Tennis Australia doing everything for their players, their teams, it’s a great culture of sport, in general in Australia so I’m honoured to be part of something like that.”

Australia lost to Slovakia 0-2 in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup, and haven’t won the competition in 51 years.

The addition of the new Australian number one could well propel them to success should she take part in this year’s tournament.

The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals are set to take place in Shenzhen, China, later this year.