(Brisbane) Former Russian Daria Kasatkina, who has represented Australia since last March, admitted feeling some pressure as she plays for the first time in her host country under her new colors.
“When I entered the court, with all the encouragement and everything, I almost started crying,” said the 28-year-old, who is openly gay and opposed to the war in Ukraine.
“I wanted to win so much, I felt this extra energy at the end of the game, but unfortunately, I did not succeed,” she added after her defeat in three sets on Sunday in the first round in Brisbane against Anastasia Potapova, herself a Russian who has been playing for Austria since this year.
Kasatkina, former 8e world, fell to 40e WTA rank after cutting short her 2025 season saying she was “mentally and emotionally at a breaking point”.
“I went through a difficult year. Now I’m doing well, but now I have to dig myself out of this deep hole that I’ve dug myself into,” she said on Sunday.
But she stressed feeling another “weight on her shoulders”, because she feels indebted to Australia and wants to bring it good results.
“I know that no one expects that from me, but I want to give back to the country in some way,” insisted the player who has eight titles to her name.
