Sam Stosur says what she thinks Daria Kasatkina’s switch will do for Australian tennis

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Daria Kasatkina recently made a big nationality switch that few were expecting.

The world number 12 announced a nationality switch from Russian to Australian ahead of this week’s Charleston Open.

Kasatkina won her first match as an Aussie, beating America’s Lauren Davis in the second round, 6-1, 6-1.

She was unable to carry that form through to the third round, however, as Kasatkina lost to Sofia Kenin in straight sets.

The Australian number one will now head to Europe, where she hopes to pick up some more big wins on the WTA Tour.

Following the news of her first win as an Australian, one of the nation’s tennis legends shared her thoughts on just how important Kasatkina’s switch could prove to be.

Sam Stosur says Daria Kasatkina will ‘set a new benchmark’ for Australian tennis following switch

Speaking on the Australian Open YouTube channel, 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur gave her honest opinion on Kasatkina’s decision to play under the Aussie flag.

“Daria Kasatkina is definitely one of the most liked players on tour, she’s always been very friendly, I always had great dealings with her myself when I was still playing and so forth,” said Stosur.

“I think she’s a great person, asset, player, however you want to put it, to now come here and really set a new benchmark for our players to strive to.”

16-time Grand Slam doubles champion Todd Woodbridge agreed, suggesting the young stars in Australian tennis could learn from the 27-year-old.

“I think it’s going to be great for our Aussie women to have this opportunity to have somebody of that level in the team once she can get in the BJK [Billie Jean King] Cup team and also for our younger girls to be around,” he said.

“She’s going to be in Melbourne, that’s going to be her base now when she does get back off tour.

“Those lead-ins to the Australian summer, it’s going to be something they can all utilise and use to their advantage, so that’s a real plus.”

Stosur then outlined the hurdles standing between Kasatkina and a place in Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup team.

“She is only a permanent resident at the moment, so the WTA have approved her to play under the Aussie flag which is obviously great but there’s still a few things that need to [happen before she can play at the BJK Cup],” she said.

“Time passed, things need to be done for her to be a citizen, get her passport, and eventually be able to play on the BJK Cup team.”

Australian fans will no doubt hope to see Kasatkina suit up for the Billie Jean King Cup sooner rather than later, as they look to win their first title at the event since 1974.

Last year, Australia fell at the quarterfinal stage to Slovakia, 0-2, losing both of their matches to the European side.

• Match 1 – Kimberly Birrell lost to Viktoria Hruncakova, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6
• Match 2 – Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Rebecca Sramkova, 1-6, 2-6

Is Daria Kasatkina a dark horse for the 2025 French Open?

During her decade-long WTA career, Kasatkina has qualified for three Grand Slam quarterfinals, two of which have come at the French Open.

Roland Garros is by some distance, the Australian’s best performing Major tournament, winning 21 of her 30 matches at the event.

She enjoyed her best career Grand Slam performance in Paris three years ago, advancing to the semi-finals without dropping a set.

• 2022 French Open QF – Daria Kasatkina beat Veronika Kudermetova, 6-4, 7-6
• 2022 French Open 4R – Daria Kasatkina beat Camila Giorgi, 6-2, 6-2
• 2022 French Open 3R – Daria Kasatkina beat Shelby Rogers, 6-3, 6-2
• 2022 French Open 2R – Daria Kasatkina beat Fernanda Contreras Gomez, 6-0, 6-3
• 2022 French Open 1R – Daria Kasatkina beat Rebecca Sramkova, 6-2, 6-0

Unfortunately for Kasatkina, her semi-final opponent was none other than Iga Swiatek, now a four-time French Open champion.

In two convincing sets, the Pole put an end to Kasatkina’s impressive run, beating her 6-2, 6-1, booking her spot in the final.

The 27-year-old has struggled in Paris since, winning just four matches across her last two visits to the French capital.

She’ll be hoping for a return to form when the 2025 French Open begins on Sunday, May 25.