The 23-year-old tennis player put on quite a show after winning the third round at the French Open. A native of the Moscow region barely received a French passport, and now she is already singing the anthem of her new country, “La Marseillaise,” with the local audience.

At the press conference, Varvara said that she would remember this moment for the rest of her life. Amazing betrayal.

“I feel great in a new country”

Gracheva got into tennis thanks to her mother, who trained her until she was 14 years old. Then she studied at a more professional level at the Meteor center in her native Zhukovsky, after which she went first to Germany and then to France to the academy in Cannes. The athlete did not show anything outstanding on the court, although it cannot be said that she was completely deprived of talent. Varvara still demonstrated a certain level and, in theory, could make progress.

For the first time, rumors about Gracheva’s transfer to the French flag appeared in the spring of last year. The publication L’Equipe discussed the topic that the Russian woman could receive a new passport by Roland Garros 2023. Soon the information was confirmed, however, she failed to make it in time for the French Open. However, globally this was no longer so important. Varvara insisted that her decision was not related to politics, although she did not speak too enthusiastically about her homeland.

— They didn’t contact me from Russia. I have been in France for over six years. It has a great training base, great French culture, lifestyle and people. I plan to stay here forever. I have many friends here, I feel great in this country,” the Polish publication Sport.pl quotes the athlete.

Russia did not see a big loss in Gracheva’s departure, which was logical. We really have enough tennis players of this level in our country. But for France it was a decent gain. After the transition, Varvara immediately became the second racket in the country, second only to Caroline Garcia. In general, the situation really did not look scandalous; it was not the first time that Russian athletes escaped.

Varvara Gracheva / Photo: © Robert Prange / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Russia and complete amnesia

However, Gracheva decided to cheer up the situation and began to call France her real home, as if completely forgetting about her real homeland. She made her victorious debut for the new team at the group stage of the Billie Jean King Cup and in every possible way emphasized how happy she was with her fresh French passport. Take a look at her commentary from the current Roland Garros.

— First of all, after receiving citizenship, my quality of life changed. At first I was afraid that no one would accept me. But I enjoy living and working here. “I feel more and more that this is my real home,” L’Equipe quotes Gracheva.

In general, the ex-Russian woman failed at the beginning of this season, sliding down the rankings. Nevertheless, Varvara got ready for the home Grand Slam tournament and made it to the fourth round. On Saturday, she defeated Romanian Irina Camelia Bega and remained the only representative of France at Roland Garros 2024. The fans greeted her success with a performance of “La Marseillaise,” and Gracheva, without a twinge of conscience, actively sang along with the stands. Less than a year has passed since her official departure from the Russian national team, when the tennis player confessed her love to a completely different country.

“I won’t forget this moment for the rest of my life.” This means a lot to me. “I see that I was accepted as one of my own in France, this is my home,” the athlete said at a press conference.

It’s amazing how quickly some people forget their roots. Moreover, few people have questions about the very fact of changing citizenship: anything can happen in life. But doing it this way is a complete betrayal. It is no less curious that in the next round of Roland Garros, Gracheva will play with the rising Russian tennis star Mirra Andreeva, who could also change her citizenship to French, but remained faithful to her country.