Ben McCrum
A tennis star has revealed that she felt forced to change her nationality after coming out as gay in an emotional interview.
On Monday, tennis star Daria Kasatkina's nationality officially changed as the Women's Tennis Association rankings now reflect that the Russian-born athlete represents Australia.
Kasatkina was born in the Russian city of Tolyatti, which is located in Samara Oblast region, but has been living in Spain and Dubai while competing as a neutral athlete amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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And now, she has opened up about her decision to change her nationality, explaining why she felt that her sexuality forced her into the decision.
Kasatkina came out as gay back in 2022 and has been in a relationship with Russian-Estonian figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
Since then, the 27-year-old hasn't returned to her home country and she will now live in Australia after her residency application was approved by the Australian government.
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"Today, the rankings updated, and it's my first official day as an Australian player," Kasatkina told reporters on Monday.
"Honestly, it feels different, I'm not going to lie. It's emotional for me. I have to get used to it. But I'm really happy to start this new chapter of my life representing Australia on the big stage."
The tennis star also emotionally opened up while explaining exactly why she felt that she had to change her nationality and move to Australia, adding: "With everything going on in my previous country, I didn't have much choice [to switch allegiance].
"For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it.
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"I have to get used to it a little bit because, for a couple of years, I didn't hear anything. But it's something nice to get used to.
"It's going to be emotional, for sure, but I think I'm going to enjoy it."
In another interview announcing that she was gay in 2022, Kasatkina criticised the attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in her home country.
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She said: "Living in the closet is impossible. It is too hard, it is pointless. Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters, and f*** everyone else."
Kasatkina is currently ranked 12th on the WTA Tour and her highest finish at a Grand Slam came in 2022 where she reached the semi-finals at The French Open.