"I had to find another place and I did,": Daria Kasatkina opens up about reason behind moving from Russia for Australia

Russia’s Daria Kasatkina has opened up about the reason behind leaving her birth country, Russia, and gaining Australian nationality. The 27-year-old recently announced on her official Instagram account that she has been granted Australia’s permanent residency, expressing her pride in the development.

"I am delighted to let you all know that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian Government," she wrote in that post. "Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.”

Kasatkina, who is currently taking part in the Madrid Open, has been recently quoted in a report by English media outlet The Guardian, where she explained that the primary reason behind leaving her country of birth was to live a ‘free life’, something she couldn’t do in Russia.

"It is tough. Honestly, it [being a lesbian] was one of my main reasons why I had to make this step and change my nationality because if I wanted to live a free, open life as I wanted, unfortunately I couldn’t do it in Russia. I had to find another place. And I did," she said. [Australians are] living in peace with each other. The war affected many things. Also the political way of Russia. Before, it was not that bad. But after this trigger, it’s become much worse. So it’s all connected.”

Kasatkina has already booked her place in the third round of the competition after beating America’s Alycia Parks in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-5. She will now face Ekaterina Alexandrova, who cemented her spot in the round of 32 after beating Olga Danilovic in the round of 64 in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.