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Game, set, citizenship! Russian-born tennis ace Daria Kasatkina just became an Australian and wasted no time proving she’s got more than just a killer forehand—she’s got opinions. After officially securing her Aussie passport, she hit the mic with a double-shot of politics and pride, slamming war and standing up for LGBTQ+ rights like a baseline queen on match point.

Kasatkina, who came out in 2022 and has been a vocal critic of Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance, is now using her new nationality like a megaphone. “Australia means freedom,” she said, which is possibly the nicest thing anyone’s said about this country since Hugh Jackman removed his shirt in Australia.

The tennis star has long walked the fine line between competition and conscience, once telling reporters she'd “rather be honest than silent.” With her new citizenship, she’s doubling down—serving politics with topspin and refusing to let her home country’s policies define her. Why it matters?

Because athletes aren’t just athletes anymore—they’re ambassadors, advocates, and, in Kasatkina’s case, absolute aces. Her stance is gutsy, global, and about as subtle as a racquet smash—and it’s exactly what the sport (and the world) needs. Latest update? She’s prepping for the French Open with an Aussie flag on her kit and a fire in her gut.

Sources: 9News – “Daria Kasatkina celebrates Australian citizenship, condemns war” (25 Apr 2025)