This tennis star almost gave up hope of becoming an Australian. Then came a ‘fairytale'
After the second approach from Kasatkina's management, Tiley and co. agreed to help make the switch happen, and to do the heavy lifting with the Department of Home Affairs. They supplied her with a letter supporting her application 'for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area', which includes sport.
It's not unusual for athletes to switch allegiances and play for Australia. Kasatkina is not the first athlete, nor even the first tennis player, to do so. But TA remains tight-lipped about the specifics of its involvement in her case, and the Department of Home Affairs does not comment on individual cases. However, a spokesperson told this masthead in April that there was 'no general power to waive or vary the eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship'.
Even as the wheels clicked into motion this January, Kasatkina did not find out that TA would support her application until after her tight fourth-round defeat to Emma Navarro, to avoid distraction.
'Australia is one of the best places I've been, honestly,' Kasatkina told this masthead as she prepares to compete at Wimbledon for the first time as an Australian.
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'I was going there only for the Aussie swing, but I was always amazed by the level of happiness there, and I was jealous of the people who live there because I have, let's say, [contrasting] examples to compare. This is a fairytale, for sure.'
Everything went at warp speed from there. In March, Kasatkina announced that she had gained permanent residency in Australia and would represent her new country from then on.
Kasatkina plans to call Melbourne home, and will make the almost 24-hour trip from London to her new city after Wimbledon to, in her words, 'activate' her residency and get the wheels in motion to become a citizen.
Of most interest now is when the world No.16 and 2022 Roland-Garros semi-finalist, who has won eight WTA singles titles and $US13.6 million prizemoney, will be able to compete for Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup.
A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this masthead there was an outside chance that Kasatkina could make her debut for Australia in the BJK Cup playoff in Hobart in November – but there is still great uncertainty.
The International Tennis Federation, which does not comment on individual cases, changed the rules from January 1, 2015 to stop players from representing more than one country in the BJK Cup or Davis Cup, but players and/or federations can request an exemption.
In Kasatkina's favour is that Russian athletes remain 'stateless' due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. She represented Russia as a junior and won the BJK Cup title as a professional in 2021.
Ajla Tomljanovic, who switched allegiances from Croatia to Australia, successfully appealed the rule change on the basis she applied for an Australian passport before it was implemented.
However, five years passed between her gaining residency in 2014 and the ITF letting her represent Australia in the BJK Cup. She became a citizen in 2018.
Kasatkina has not set foot in Russia since the interview in which she announced her sexuality and revealed that she was in a relationship with champion figure skater Zabiiako, who travels everywhere with her. The pair recently announced their engagement.
She is hopeful of being allowed to represent Australia in November.
'But you never know. We cannot say yes, or no. We're in the process, and let's see how it's going to turn out, if it's going to be that quick. I mean, it's sort of a miracle, but I'm a kid [at heart], so I believe in miracles.'
If that does not eventuate, Kasatkina's first chance to compete in front of her new fans will be at next year's Australian Open, a prospect she has already thought about.
'It's a bit stressful. Honestly, I never experienced that amount of support for me,' she said.
'Coming to the slams and seeing how they treat the locals, in terms of support, I always wondered how I would feel to have a home slam and a home crowd. I never thought it was going to happen … but it's going to be big – a huge, massive motivation, and it can only bring you up.'
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Being Australian marks a new beginning and has already brought experiences she never had before, from increased media attention to a fresh legion of fans and importantly, freedom to be open about her relationship.
At the same time, Kasatkina conceded it was heartbreaking to officially break ties with Russia.
Last year, she told CBS News that she worried about her parents, who decided to stay in Russia. Three of her brothers have left the country. She said she hoped they would not suffer reprisals over her actions.
Aside from worry for her family, it's also difficult for her to leave the land of her birth.
'Growing up there, and now saying bye to this part, it's very difficult,' Kasatkina said.
'But life gives you challenges, and here I am. I found my family on my own, and I found my place on my own. I'm just happy this place [Australia] is accepting others and in harmony with everyone.
'I think that's actually what amazed me the most in Australia – the Australian mentality that everyone is accepted, and everyone knows how to communicate with each other. Of course, it's tough, but after a night, there's always a sunrise.'
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