Former Credit One Charleston Open champion Daria Kasatkina`s dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over wild card Lauren Davis marked not only the start of her 2025 tournament campaign but also a new chapter in her career as she now represents Australia.
Kasatkina, previously competing as a neutral athlete since 2022 due to restrictions on Russian and Belarusian players, announced her permanent residency in Australia last week. She will now compete under the Australian flag.
Ahead of the Charleston Open, where she secured her first Hologic WTA Tour title in 2017, the No. 5 seed Kasatkina revealed that her sexual orientation played a significant role in her decision. The Russian government had labeled the `international LGBT movement` as `extremist` in 2023.
`Given the current circumstances in my former country, I felt I had limited options,` Kasatkina explained to Ben Rothenberg at Bounces. `As an openly gay woman wanting to live authentically, this move was necessary.`
The world No. 12 Kasatkina showcased impressive form in her debut match as Australia`s top-ranked player. She is currently sixty places ahead of Australia`s second-highest ranked player, Kimberly Birrell, who is at No. 62. Kasatkina swiftly defeated Davis in just 61 minutes and shared lighthearted moments with interviewer Andrew Krasny on court.
`I couldn`t stop smiling, even with pre-match jitters,` she confessed to Krasny. `Stepping onto the court with my new status and flag was nerve-wracking. But those nerves disappeared quickly once the match began, and I`m delighted I managed it well.`
Kasatkina`s smile widened as she received enthusiastic applause from the crowd and a high-five from Krasny, expressing her gratitude for their support.
`The past couple of years have been challenging, so it brings me immense joy to be here and feel this way,` she concluded.
