Australian Open 2026: New Australian Daria Kasatkina can ‘finally breathe’

Russian-born Daria Kasatkina says she can “finally breathe” as she prepares for her first Australian Open as a home player.

Kasatkina has gained Australian citizenship in the build-up to the tournament, having played as a neutral athlete since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The 28-year-old has not returned to Russia since coming out as gay in the same year, and has described the war in Ukraine as a “nightmare”.

“Finally I can just breathe. I can live and just do my job and not be worried about the things which are not in my control,” said the former world number eight.

“The last season was very, very tough. I was trying to get out of this hole basically.”

Kasatkina ended her 2025 season early, having said in October that “mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point”.

She will begin her tournament against Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova, and the new Australian number two will expect to receive huge support in Melbourne.

“For the first time I’m going to play in front of such a big home crowd, so that’s going to be special,” Kasatkina said.

“I have to manage my nerves, because I’ve never been in this situation before.

“This is a good pressure, so I would choose this one compared to what I have been through in the past couple of years.

“Now basically I’m going to play a home Slam and that’s a really special chapter in my life.