Russian-born Daria Kasatkina says she will “lastly breathe” as she prepares for her first Australian Open as a house participant.
Kasatkina has gained Australian citizenship within the build-up to the match, having performed as a impartial athlete since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The 28-year-old has not returned to Russia since popping out as homosexual in the identical 12 months, and has described the conflict in Ukraine as a “nightmare”.
“Lastly I can simply breathe. I can dwell and simply do my job and never be nervous concerning the issues which aren’t in my management,” stated the previous world quantity eight.
“The final season was very, very powerful. I used to be attempting to get out of this gap principally.”
Kasatkina ended her 2025 season early, having stated in October that “mentally and emotionally I’m at breaking level”.
She’s going to start her match towards Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova, and the brand new Australian quantity two will count on to obtain big help in Melbourne.
“For the primary time I will play in entrance of such an enormous dwelling crowd, in order that’s going to be particular,” Kasatkina stated.
“I’ve to handle my nerves, as a result of I’ve by no means been on this scenario earlier than.
“It is a good stress, so I might select this one in comparison with what I’ve been by prior to now couple of years.
“Now principally I will play a house Slam and that is a extremely particular chapter in my life.
