'I feel so much love': Daria Kasatkina opens up ahead of maiden Australian Open as an Aussie
New citizen Daria Kasatkina has opened up on what it means for her to be Australian on the eve of her maiden home slam.
Having switched her on-court allegiance to Australia last March, Kasatkina on Saturday revealed she had also become a citizen.
Speaking to media ahead of her first Australian Open as an Aussie, Kasatkina said she never imagined she would get the chance to play in a home slam, and vowed to "enjoy it as much as possible".
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The Russian-born Kasatkina announced in 2022 she was gay, and fled Russia, which has strict anti-LGBTQI+ laws, to avoid persecution.
She was also outspoken against the invasion of Ukraine, and faced calls for her to be listed as a "foreign agent".
Kasatkina plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. Getty
"This is a good pressure. I would choose this one compared to what I have been through in the past couple of years. Let's call it a fun pressure," she said.
"I cannot even describe how much it means (to be an Australian), because it's not just about the passport, it's about the acceptance.
"(Through) the whole process, the support from people, other citizens, it's been amazing. I couldn't imagine coming from a completely different background to receive this amount of support from strangers.
"I feel so much love … I'm really grateful. I don't know if I'll ever be able to pay back what this country gave me."
Kasatkina made it to the second week at Melbourne Park last year, before being knocked out by American Emma Navarro in the fourth round.
She said she would make an effort to enjoy her first slam as much as she could, while also learning to work her adoptive home crowd.
"I have to (learn) how it works. I need instruction," she said with a laugh.
"I think I'll figure it out. I've already played in Brisbane and Adelaide. The crowd has been great. They are the best fans in the world."
Kasatkina will play Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkova in the first round on Tuesday.
