"You can’t say it in a better way — so why not?" - Potapova confirms copying Kasatkina's statement amid changing nationalities

Anastasia Potapova was one of a number of Russian players switching nationalities over the off-season, with her transfer to Austria being completed ahead of the 2026 campaign. However, fans noticed something very familiar with her statement confirming the news very similar to Daria Kasatkina's. She did not make a big deal out of it, stating that there was nothing wrong with what she did.

The new Austrian number one is enjoying representing her new nation on the big stage. Having already competed at the Brisbane International and Adelaide International, she was looking to pick up some big results at the Australian Open.

This is exactly what she did in her first round matchup against Suzan Lamens, overturning a one set deficit to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 to advance in a hard fought victory. At one point, Potapova was trailing 5-1 in the second set with the match seemingly going the way of the Dutchwoman. However, a determined and resilient comeback saw the 24-year-old nick a priceless victory.

At the start of 2025, Kasatkina officially switched nationalities from Russia to Australia. She released a statement on Instagram confirming the news. Later on in the year, Potapova follows in suit, but this time to Austria. She broke the news on Instagram, which read: "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. 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."

Funnily enough, some fans got deja vu when reading this statement. This is due to Kasatkina's being awfully similar, with just a few tweaks to suit Potapova.

When asked about this debacle in her press conference after the match, she insisted that there was nothing wrong with what she did. "I don’t find anything wrong with that," she said. "You can’t say it in a better way — so why not? We loved the words, my team loved them, and we decided to go with it. I don’t think anything terrible happened. I think the media just blew it up because they didn’t like the fact that it happened. But who cares?"

Potapova faced off against Kasatkina most recently in the first round of the Brisbane International, with Potapova winning in three sets. Being close companions, they have already discussed this. "Yes, we talk a lot — we’re good friends. But honestly, nobody cares. There’s nothing much to say about it."

Whilst competing on court, she saw an Austrian flag in the crowd, which was a very special moment for her. "To be honest, when I saw it, I got a little goosebumps on court. It feels amazing," she stated. "I really feel the support — I get a lot of messages from Austrian people. I feel very proud to represent this country now, and I swear I’m going to try to do my best."

Austria is a country close to her heart, with Potapova calling it home for a good couple of years now. "I’ve been living there for the last couple of years. It didn’t happen all of a sudden — we worked on it for a long time. I really like Austria, especially Vienna. It’s my second home, and now it’s my first home. I really like it."

She will have the chance to perform in front of a home crowd in the Linz Open, a tournament she previously won back in 2023. "Of course. I’ve been champion of this tournament before, and every year I come back because it’s one of my favourite weeks," she exclaimed. "I love the conditions. This year it’s indoor clay — even better. Of course I’ll be there."

That event will be held from April 6-12, but for now she will have her full focus on making more progression through the Australian Open. Her second round match is against the former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, which promises to be a very exciting matchup.