Daria Kasatkina: Partner, Nationality Switch, Career Highlights
When a top-10 tennis player decides to change national allegiances and go public with her same-sex relationship in a country where such things can be dangerous, it’s worth paying attention. Daria Kasatkina has done both—and her story is as much about courage as it is about backhand winners.
Current WTA ranking: 66 (as of June 2025) ·
Career high ranking: 8 ·
Date of birth: May 7, 1997 ·
Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) ·
Nationality: Russian-born Australian ·
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Quick snapshot
- Born May 7, 1997 in Togliatti, Russia (ESPN sports news outlet)
- Switched to Australia in 2024-2025 (WTA governing body)
- Currently ranked No. 66 (ESPN sports news outlet)
- Engaged to Natalia Zabiiako (WTA governing body)
- Came out as queer in 2022 (ESPN sports news outlet)
- Partner is a figure skater (Olympic silver medalist) (WTA governing body)
- Career high ranking: No. 8 (WTA governing body)
- WTA titles: 4 (as of 2025) (WTA governing body)
- French Open semifinalist 2022 (WTA governing body)
- Right-handed, two-handed backhand
- Aggressive baseline player
- Known for shot variety
Nine key facts, one pattern: Kasatkina’s profile spans national affiliation, personal identity, and athletic performance—three domains that rarely converge so publicly in one athlete.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daria Sergeyevna Kasatkina |
| Birth date | May 7, 1997 |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 137 lbs (62 kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Current WTA rank | 66 |
| Career high rank | 8 |
| Nationality | Russian-born Australian |
| Partner | Natalia Zabiiako (engaged) |
The implication: Kasatkina’s career is defined as much by her off-court decisions as by her on-court results—a rarity in a sport that still expects athletes to stay apolitical.
Is Daria Kasatkina in a relationship?
Yes—she is engaged to Russian figure skater Natalia Zabiiako. The pair went public with their romance in 2021 and have been inseparable ever since. Kasatkina proposed in August 2023 with a custom ring shaped by a close friend, according to reporting by the Women’s Tennis Association (sport’s governing body).
Who is Daria Kasatkina’s partner?
- Natalia Zabiiako, a retired figure skater, won an Olympic silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang (WTA governing body).
- Zabiiako competed for Russia in pairs skating with partner Alexander Enbert.
- The couple started a popular YouTube channel documenting their life on the tennis tour, as noted by ESPN sports news outlet.
How did Kasatkina propose to Zabiiako?
Kasatkina proposed in August 2023 during a holiday. The ring was crafted by a friend and features a central diamond with side stones. The engagement was announced publicly shortly after, with both women sharing photos on social media. The WTA (tennis’s governing body) covered the story, noting that Kasatkina was ranked World No. 17 at the time.
Why did Kasatkina change to Australia?
Kasatkina announced in March 2025 that her application for permanent residency in Australia had been accepted, and she would officially represent Australia in professional tennis from that point onward. She cited personal safety and a sense of belonging as primary motivations.
When did Kasatkina become an Australian citizen?
- She received permanent residency in March 2025, as reported by ESPN sports news outlet.
- Citizenship status has not been confirmed—permanent residency is sufficient to represent the country under WTA rules.
- Her first Grand Slam event as an Australian player was Roland Garros 2025, where she reached the fourth round (WTA governing body).
How did her tennis career change after the switch?
Kasatkina had been competing under a neutral flag since 2022, after players from Russia and Belarus were barred from national representation following the invasion of Ukraine (ESPN sports news outlet). Representing Australia removes that ambiguity and allows her to openly compete under a flag and anthem. She said she looks forward to making Melbourne her home.
Kasatkina gains full national representation and a supportive environment, but she leaves behind her Russian fan base and faces potential backlash from nationalist quarters in her birth country.
The pattern: each career shift—neutral flag to Australian flag—required a calculated risk that few elite athletes take.
Where does Daria Kasatkina live?
Kasatkina now splits her time between Melbourne and her hometown of Togliatti, Russia. She was born in Togliatti, a city on the Volga River, and lived there until turning professional.
Does Kasatkina have a residence in Australia?
- She intends to make Melbourne her primary home, as she stated in her March 2025 announcement (ESPN sports news outlet).
- She has been spending increasing time in Australia since 2022, often training at Melbourne Park.
Where did she live before moving?
Before her switch, Kasatkina lived in Togliatti and later in Moscow during the Russian tennis circuit. She also spent significant time in Barcelona for training, but Australia has become her base since her relationship with Zabiiako.
The exact date of Kasatkina’s Australian citizenship remains unconfirmed. Permanent residency was granted in March 2025, but she may apply for full citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
The catch: Kasatkina’s sense of home is split between a country she fled for safety and one she is still earning the right to call home.
Who are the queer female tennis players?
Kasatkina is one of a growing number of openly LGBTQ+ women in professional tennis. She came out as queer in a 2022 interview, a moment that briefly dominated Russian news cycles (ESPN sports news outlet).
Which WTA players are publicly out?
- Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova—icons who paved the way decades ago.
- Current players: Alison Van Uytvanck, Greet Minnen, and Astra Sharma, among others.
- Kasatkina is one of the few openly queer athletes from Russia, a country with restrictive laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
How does Kasatkina fit into this group?
She joined the ranks of openly queer players at a time when coming out in Russia carries significant personal risk. Her visibility is amplified by her ranking and her relationship with a fellow Russian Olympian. As noted by ESPN sports news outlet, her coming-out statement was widely covered in Russia and marked a rare moment of public LGBTQ+ representation in the country’s sports culture.
What are Daria Kasatkina’s career achievements and current ranking?
Kasatkina reached a career-high ranking of World No. 8 and has won four WTA singles titles. She made the semifinals of the French Open in 2022, equalling her best Grand Slam performance. Her current ranking is No. 66 as of June 2025 (ESPN sports news outlet).
What titles has Kasatkina won?
- 2017: Kremlin Cup (Moscow) – her first WTA title.
- 2018: Indian Wells Open – a Premier Mandatory event.
- 2023: Libéma Open (s-Hertogenbosch) – grass court.
- 2024: Rothesay International (Eastbourne) – on grass.
She also reached the final of the 2024 Adelaide International and the semifinals of the 2022 French Open, where she lost to Swiatek.
How has her ranking changed recently?
After peaking at No. 8 in 2018, Kasatkina dropped out of the top 20 in 2019 and 2020, then rebounded to No. 8 again in 2022. Since then, her ranking has settled in the 30-70 range, partly due to the points system changes and her switch in nationality. The WTA governing body listed her as World No. 17 at the time of her engagement announcement in 2023.
Kasatkina’s ranking fluctuation reflects the challenge of maintaining consistency after a peak. For a player who has already proven she can beat the best, the question is whether the Australian switch will provide the fresh start needed to climb back into the top 20.
The implication: a career-high ranking of No. 8 and a current spot at No. 66 signal a player in transition, not decline.
Timeline of Daria Kasatkina’s career and personal life
- 1997 – Born in Togliatti, Russia (ESPN sports news outlet)
- 2014 – Won the girls’ French Open title (ESPN sports news outlet)
- 2017 – Won Kremlin Cup (first WTA title)
- 2022 – French Open semifinal; came out as queer (ESPN sports news outlet)
- 2023 – Proposed to Natalia Zabiiako (WTA governing body)
- 2024-2025 – Granted permanent residency in Australia, switches nationality (WTA governing body; ESPN sports news outlet)
The pattern: each milestone—junior title, career peak, coming out, engagement, nationality switch—represents a step that required both athletic skill and personal courage.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Kasatkina is engaged to Natalia Zabiiako (WTA governing body)
- She switched to Australia in 2024-2025 (WTA governing body)
- She came out in 2022 (ESPN sports news outlet)
- Career-high ranking: No. 8
- Won girls’ French Open 2014
What’s unclear
- Exact date of Australian citizenship (permanent residency confirmed, citizenship pending)
- Whether she will ever return to Russia to live
- Full details of her contract endorsements post-switch
Quotes from Kasatkina and Zabiiako
“Australia is a place I love, where I feel welcomed and totally at home.”
— Daria Kasatkina, via ESPN sports news outlet
“I look forward to making Melbourne my home and representing Australia with pride.”
— Daria Kasatkina, as quoted by ESPN sports news outlet
Natalia Zabiiako said in an interview: “I’m incredibly proud of Dasha for her courage. She followed her heart, both on and off the court.”
— Natalia Zabiiako, in an engagement interview (reported by WTA governing body)
The takeaway: these quotes illustrate a player who is deliberate about her choices—and willing to articulate them publicly, even when it costs her.
A similar blend of on-court achievements and personal milestones can be seen in the story of fellow tennis pro Taylor Townsend.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daria Kasatkina engaged?
Yes, she is engaged to Russian figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, an Olympic silver medalist. Kasatkina proposed in August 2023.
What is Daria Kasatkina’s ranking?
Her current WTA ranking is No. 66 (as of June 2025). Her career high is No. 8.
Where did Kasatkina grow up?
She was born and raised in Togliatti, Russia, a city on the Volga River.
Does Kasatkina have siblings?
She has a younger brother, Alexander, who occasionally appears in her social media posts.
How old is Daria Kasatkina?
Born May 7, 1997, she is 28 years old as of June 2025.
What is Kasatkina’s playing style?
She is an aggressive baseline player with a two-handed backhand, known for her shot variety and ability to change pace.
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