“And please welcome from Australia, Daria Kasatkina!” announced MC while introducing the world number 12 on Wednesday. Just over an hour later, the Charleston crowd serenaded “Dasha” with “I Come From a Land Down Under” as she basked in the cheers, following her impressive first victory—against America’s Lauren Davis—as an Australian player. On the arena’s iconic green clay, her smile radiated both relief and genuine joy. However, the journey to this moment has been complex.

Having spent recent years living and competing as a neutral athlete in Spain and Dubai amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Kasatkina’s debut as an Australian player at the Charleston Open marked the start of a new chapter. 

“Yesterday, I was watching Tennis Channel, and they put the schedule for today and my name was there with the flag and I was like, ‘Oh, Oh my God.’ So, yeah, it’s a really special moment for me to you know to win the first match as an Australian player, and yeah, really, I don’t know, just really happy with that. I couldn’t believe one day something like that would happen to me,” Kasatkina said in her post-match interview with the Tennis Channel.

After beating the American and taking her win-loss record to 10-8 for this season, she opened up about her reasons for choosing Australia.

She said, “Well, in my situation, it’s I mean Australia…it’s a great place, it’s a bit far (laughs) not going to lie but it’s a great place, very welcoming place.” The former world number 8 further added, “The people there are just different there, so nice. Everyone is treated the same. I mean, it’s just the harmony there. You feel like nobody’s judging anybody, and you can be yourself. I mean, honestly…I have a lot of support here and just it’s a good place which I really love here in Charleston.” 

While Kasatkina has disclosed the primary factors influencing her decision to represent Australia, she was also asked if she considered living elsewhere. She explained that despite having spent time in Spain and the Emirates, the sense of balance and peace she’s experienced in Australia is unparalleled in her life. Therefore, in her view, Australia is the ideal place for her. But this transition didn’t come easy!

Daria Kasatkina reveals how the players have treated her after she announced her nationality switch

Daria Kasatkina’s announcement was met with a series of warm wishes and affection from the tennis community—especially Australian. While Daria Saville commented, “new neighbour 🤍,” Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs wrote, “Omggggg i was right! Lol 😂 so happy to see this! WELCOME MATEEEE!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” and the 35-year-old Aussie tennis player, Arina Rodionova dropped a comment on that post saying, “This is gonna be fun 🥰🥰 So many avocado toasts will be consumed between us 😂.”

On the flip side, Kasatkina shared that some of her fellow players, coaches, and officials have been playfully joking about her change in nationality over the past few days. “Oh, my God. Like some of them, they’re trying to talk with me with a slang. Then, yeah, everyone is calling me Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! I’m like, yeah, I am. What’s funny? So, you know, like just, you know, everyone is coming with a smile, trying to ask me something. I’m like, yeah. But I mean, it’s great. I mean, that’s a good reaction. I like it,” she said in her post-match interview in Charleston.

Has she had any negative reaction from any players, though? “Well, no. I think it would be weird if some of the players come to me and say something negative about that,” Kasatkina revealed. 

Well, the 2022 French Open semifinalist is a strong contender in Charleston this year. Having already won the tournament in 2017, she came close to repeating the feat by reaching the final last year. But was handed a defeat by Danielle Collins. Can she beat Sofia Kenin in the R16 and reach closer to the title this time around?