'Want to pay back the country': Daria Kasatkina battles internal pressure in emotional Aussie debut before shock loss
Updated . First published at
Daria Kasatkina's home-soil debut for Australia ended in disappointment as she was ousted in the opening round of the Brisbane International by Austria's Anastasia Potapova, who prevailed in a three-set classic.
A Russian native, Kasatkina announced last March that she had secured permanent residency in Australia and would begin representing her adopted homeland on the WTA tour.
Visibly moved by the Brisbane crowd's rousing welcome on Sunday, Kasatkina fought back tears as she stepped onto the court to represent her new homeland in Australia for the first time.
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Daria Kasatkina reacts during her opening-round battle with Anastasia Potapova in Brisbane. Albert Perez via Getty Images
Kasatkina opted to end her 2025 season early in late September, citing her mental wellbeing and admitting she was at "breaking point".
Now, with her ranking falling out of the top 32, she faces the uphill task of competing at the Australian Open without the protection of a seed.
Kasatkina's first match of the Australian summer came against fellow former Russian Potapova, who moved to represent Austria late last year.
With the emotional weight of the occasion, Kasatkina struggled to find her rhythm on serve. Her 16 double faults became the deciding factor in a gruelling 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 loss.
The Aussie tennis summer kicks off with the 2026 United Cup from Friday, January 2. Watch it live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Speaking afterwards, Kasatkina reflected on the loss, noting that the overwhelming support from the local fans carried more weight than the scoreline after a difficult season.
"Stepping on court, and I heard the cheer. I almost started crying, but I was able to hold it," she said.
Australia's Daria Kasatkina reacts during her opening-round clash against Austria's Anastasia Potapova on Day 1 of the 2026 Brisbane International. Albert Perez via Getty Images
"I wanted to win so much and feel this extra energy.
"I've been through a tough year. Now I'm fine, but I have to get out of that deep hole."
The 28-year-old was unable to capitalise on an early 4-2 lead, eventually falling in a back-and-forth marathon lasting more than two and a half hours.
As the contest hit its climax, the local fans rallied behind Kasatkina, their cheers erupting as she broke back late in the third.
However, her momentum stalled when a forehand miss plummeted her into a 0-40 deficit, seeing the match slip away in the very next breath.
On paper, Kasatkina was the slight favourite heading into the match.
The former world No.8 admitted she had placed immense pressure on herself to perform, desperate to repay the country that had adopted her.
"I know that nobody is putting this pressure on me [other than myself]," she said.
"I want to represent Australia, and show the results and everything. Of course, when it's not happening, I feel bad. I know that nobody is expecting me to do so – I'm expecting myself. I want to pay back the country.
"It's tough, but all I can do is work hard, go out there, do the best I can, give everything on court ... there's always one winner, one loser, and every week is basically the same thing. But I want to do my best for the country."
Kasatkina heads to the Adelaide International next week to fine-tune her game before embarking on her 11th Australian Open campaign—though, for the first time, she will do so as a local.
Meanwhile, fellow Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic dropped just four games to seal her spot in the second round, later admitting she was "just thrilled" to be back competing in Brisbane after a long absence.
Tomljanovic cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot, though a far sterner test awaits in the second round against 11th-seeded Czech star Karolina Muchova.
