Ready to welcome good pressure

Russian-born Daria Kasatkina said she is ready to take on the “good pressure” of a domestic Grand Slam when she takes to the court at Melbourne Park as an Australian citizen for the first time.

The 28-year-old played on the tour as a neutral athlete after Russian players were banned from competing under their own flag following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Having been thrust into the political spotlight, Kasatkina became one of the few Russian-born players to publicly criticize the war, before she was granted permanent residency in Australia last March.

Kasatkina, who has not returned to Russia since coming out as gay in 2022, posted on social media on Saturday that she was officially confirmed as a full citizen and can expect a warm welcome from local fans at the opening Grand Slam of the year starting on Sunday.

“That’s good pressure, so I’d choose it compared to what I’ve been through the last two years,” Kasatkina told reporters on Saturday.

“For the first time I will be playing in front of such a big crowd, so this will be special. I have to manage my nerves, because I have never been in this situation before.

“But I’m very proud and it’s an extremely positive change. The whole of last year was a year of transition, which brought me to where I am now.”

Kasatkina, who at world number 48 is Australia’s second behind 32nd-ranked Maya Joint, said being a citizen meant more than just holding a new passport.

“It’s about acceptance. Because honestly, the whole process, the support from people, from other citizens, has been amazing,” Kasatkina added.

“I couldn’t imagine coming from a completely different background to get so much support from strangers, I felt so much love. From last year, but now that I’m fully Australian, I’m proud and grateful. It’s a responsibility, but that’s what I was looking for.”

After ending her season in October citing the pressure of a heavy tour schedule and emotional stress, Kasatkina said she was in a better place mentally.

“That’s the most important thing, because the end of last year was difficult. I was trying to get out of that hole,” added the former world number eight.

“I’m happy with the progress I’ve made, and now all I have to do is compete well, which is what I’ve been looking for. Now I can just talk about tennis, and that’s the most important thing.”

Kasatkina, who reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park last year, faces Czech Nikola Bartunkova in her opening match.

Thank you Williams

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams thanked Australian Open organizers on Saturday for handing her a wild card that will see the 45-year-old American become the oldest woman ever to compete in the main draw.

Williams returned to tennis last season after a 16-month break, winning one of her four tour-level matches before starting 2026 with a first-round loss to Poland’s 53rd-ranked Magda Linette as a wild card at the Auckland Classic last week.

Granted another wild card for the Hobart International, world No. 576 Williams was also knocked out in the first round by 38-year-old German Tatjana Maria, a matchup of players with the highest combined age in WTA history.

“It’s been five years since I’ve been here. They’ve flown by, and I’m very, very grateful for the opportunity from Tennis Australia,” Williams told reporters at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

“Thanks for the opportunity to play in front of the fans. I’ve just had so much support in the tournaments leading up, walking around town and everything. I hope to play my best.”

The allocation of wildcards has sparked debate at the Australian Open, with home player Nick Kyrgio in the spotlight ahead of his decision to withdraw from the men’s singles.

Although a huge card at his home Grand Slam, Kyrgios played just four full singles matches last season and is ranked outside the top 600.