"What's she ever won for Russia? You won't say and I won't either so good riddance": Anastasia Potapova receives damning verdict on Austria switch

Anastasia Potapova has decided to become the latest athlete to switch to represent a new country this week joining Kamilla Rakhimova who moved to Uzbekistan.

But while Rakhimova got a more cordial reception from Shamil Tarpischev regarding her switch, the vice president of the Russian Tennis Federation acted a bit less cordial about Potapova saying simply what has she ever won for Russia and translated from Russian good riddance when it came to her switch.

Potapova will now represent Austria which is somewhat of a surprising move. The 24-year-old only appeared last week at the Russian state oil giant Gazprom's exhibition and even roped her boyfriend Tallon Griekspoor along for it who of course represents Netherlands.

He was the only non Russian/Kazakh player on the line-up and was of course for obvious reasons, Potapova's switch to Austria given her past participation in such events was a surprise. But for former World No.1 and vice-president of the Russian Tennis Federation, Yegveny Kafelnikov it was very much shut the door on your way out.

“I take no pleasure in commenting on this news. Give some sort of verdict on this topic? I don’t need to. She changed [nationality], fine — what am I supposed to do now, cry about it? A strong athlete? What has she ever won for Russia? You won’t say, and I won’t either. So good riddance,” Kafelnikov told Sport-Express.

Austria is a place that holds special resonance for Potapova having won the Upper Austria Ladies Linz title in the country and now she will make it her new home.

"I am delighted to let you all know that my application for citizenship has been accepted by the Austrian Government. Austria is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home," she wrote. I love being in Wien and look forward to making my second home there. As part of this I am proud to announce that starting from 2026 I will be representing my new homeland Austria in my professional tennis career from this point onwards.

So far in her career, the former World No.21 has won three singles titles and three doubles and is a former junior World No.1 and a 2016 Wimbledon girls champion.

She won the Transylvania Open earlier this year and was formerly married to Kazakh ace Alexander Shevchenko before their divorce bt she soon then got into a relationship with Tallon Griekspoor who has been seen on her social media in what could be called a soft launch of him diving into a pool and in the background of shots in the Maldives as she enjoys her off season.

Many Der Standard readers reacted with sharp criticism, focusing on what they see as blatant double standards in Austria’s citizenship rules. They argue that while “ordinary” Austrians abroad and migrants born in the country must navigate years of bureaucracy, a Russian tennis star appears to receive citizenship “on a silver platter.” The same questions surface repeatedly: Did Potapova follow a standard naturalization process? Did she renounce her Russian passport? Has she clearly distanced herself from Russia’s war in Ukraine? Her recent appearances at Gazprom-sponsored events and exhibitions in St. Petersburg further fuel distrust — with some commenters calling her a “Putin groupie” and labeling the decision a “full-blown scandal,” “ridiculous,” or simply “disgusting.” Others denounce Austria for naturalizing athletes with “zero connection” to the country while long-term residents remain excluded, describing the ruling party’s approach as “an utter disgrace.”

Still, some readers push back against the outrage. They note that naturalization for exceptional achievements in sports, culture, or science is explicitly permitted by law — “That’s how the law has always worked.” Others simply welcome the arrival of a high-level player: “Great — maybe our women’s team will finally achieve something again,” “Super! Welcome!” or “Good to have a top athlete on our side.” A few warn against assuming Kremlin loyalty just because she is Russian, arguing that people living under authoritarian regimes often stay silent to protect themselves and their families.