Daria Kasatkina moves to Australia: a new chapter begins!

Daria Kasatkina moves to Australia: a new chapter begins!

Daria Kasatkina, the current WTA number 12 and Russia's top-ranked tennis player, has taken a significant step in her career by announcing that she will play for Australia in the future. She announced this change of nation on March 29, 2025, and in her Instagram post she said that she felt welcome and at home in Australia. Melbourne will be their new home.

In the past, Kasatkina has repeatedly criticized the political situation in Russia. In particular, she described the war of aggression against Ukraine as a “nightmare.” Her decision to play for Australia marks a clear departure from her homeland and reflects her progressive stance.

Fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Another significant moment in Kasatkina's life was her coming out in 2022, when she came out as gay. This was seen by the Russian public as “monumental” for LGBTQ+ rights. The well-known Russian soccer player Nadya Karpova, who has come out as a lesbian, praised her for her move and explained that Kasatkina is an important role model for many young LGBTQ+ people. In an interview, Kasatkina reiterated the need for role models.

Her coming out is particularly notable in the context of the political situation in Russia. Shortly before her announcement, Duma deputies had introduced a bill that would further restrict public discussion of LGBTQ+ issues. Originally, the 2013 "Law Against LGBT Propaganda" was only aimed at protecting minors, but the new proposals aim to extend this regulation to all age groups. In the current climate, which has become increasingly conservative following the Ukraine conflict, Kasatkina's public support for the LGBTQ+ community represents a bold step.

Social changes

However, the pressure on LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia remains strong. Parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has stressed that attempts to promote “non-traditional values” will be rejected and that calls to legalize same-sex marriage are “outdated”. Nevertheless, surveys show that the public image of LGBTQ+ people is changing: the proportion of Russians who consider homosexuals and bisexuals to be “normal” has increased from 23% to 32% in the last eight years. Among young people, this figure is as high as 68%.

Kasatkina strongly criticized homophobia and made it clear that sexual orientation is not a choice. She calls for an open dialogue within the LGBTQ+ community to ensure support for the younger generation suffering from the pressures of discrimination. By speaking out publicly and talking about her relationship with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, she is setting an example for transparency and acceptance.

At a time when Russian authorities are intensifying their opposition to LGBTQ+ issues, Daria Kasatkina is a progressive character whose voice is significant in this political landscape. As she pursues her sporting goals under the Australian flag, her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and the end of the war in Ukraine remains strong.

The consequences of her coming out and the reactions to it show that there are certain changes taking place within Russian society, even as legal pressure continues to increase. The development in Kasatkina's life could have an impact on many people's views and help prevent new homophobic campaigns.

You can read more information here: crown, The Guardian, Newsweek.