A top-10 tennis player who publicly came out as gay and switched nationalities in the span of two years — Daria Kasatkina’s story is not just about serve speeds and backhand angles. Since proposing to her partner, former figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, in early 2024, Kasatkina has quietly reshaped her public identity, on and off the court, unpacking her Australian citizenship shift, her relationship, and how she climbed back into the WTA’s elite.
Current ranking: World No. 9 (2024 year-end, WTA) ·
Age: 27 (born 7 May 1997) ·
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) ·
Nationality: Russian-born Australian (since 2025) ·
Partner: Natalia Zabiiako (engaged 2024) ·
Highest ranking: World No. 8
Quick snapshot
- Engaged to Natalia Zabiiako since April 2024 (ESPN)
- Announced nationality switch in March 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Finished 2024 season ranked No. 9 (WTA Official)
- Exact wedding date (still not public)
- Whether she will permanently relocate to Australia full-time
- Her long-term Grand Slam ceiling (SF best so far)
- 2025 season as Australian representative
- Potential Grand Slam breakthrough after top-10 finish
- Possible wedding later in 2025 or 2026
Ten key facts about Kasatkina, pulled from official WTA data and news reports.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daria Sergeyevna Kasatkina |
| Date of birth | 7 May 1997 (WTA Official) |
| Place of birth | Tolyatti, Russia (WTA Official) |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Current ranking | World No. 9 (2024 year-end, WTA Official) |
| Highest ranking | World No. 8 (Wikipedia) |
| WTA titles | 8 singles (including 2024 Ningbo, Eastbourne) (WTA Official) |
| Nationality | Russian-born Australian (citizenship Jan 2026) |
| Partner | Natalia Zabiiako (engaged April 2024) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Does Daria Kasatkina have a partner?
Yes — Kasatkina is engaged to Natalia Zabiiako, a former Russian figure skater. The couple has been together since 2021 and publicly shared their relationship when Kasatkina came out in July 2023 (BBC Sport).
Who is Daria Kasatkina’s fiancée?
Natalia Zabiiako, 30, competed in pairs figure skating for both Estonia and Russia. She represented Estonia at the 2018 Winter Olympics and later switched to represent Russia, winning a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships (Wikipedia). Since retiring, she works as a skating coach and social media influencer.
How did Kasatkina propose to Natalia Zabiiako?
In April 2024, Kasatkina proposed with the help of a friend during a vacation. Zabiiako posted on Instagram: “I said yes to the love of my life” (ESPN). The exact wedding date has not been announced.
Kasatkina’s willingness to be open about her relationship — in a country where LGBTQ+ rights are restricted — turned her into a role model beyond tennis. For Russian athletes, this public stance carries real risk.
The implication: This openness, combined with her nationality switch, has made her a symbol of personal freedom in sports.
Why did Kasatkina change to Australia?
Kasatkina cited a desire for more freedom — both personal and professional — when she announced her switch. “I can finally breathe. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” she told BBC Sport in March 2025. She applied for and was granted permanent residency by the Australian government, and in January 2026 she became an Australian citizen (Wikipedia).
What motivated the nationality switch?
- LGBTQ+ freedom: Australia’s legal environment for same-sex couples is far more accepting than Russia’s (BBC Sport).
- Better opportunities: Australian tennis infrastructure, including the Melbourne Park training facilities, offers world-class support.
How did the Australian public react?
Tennis Australia welcomed her warmly: “We are thrilled to have Daria join the Australian tennis family,” the organisation stated. Fans and media celebrated the addition of a top-10 player to the Australian women’s lineup.
By leaving the Russian Tennis Federation, Kasatkina forfeited potential state funding and the chance to represent a country with a deep tennis tradition. For many Russian athletes, such a move is irreversible.
The catch: The move also cuts ties with a system that produced her, and she now faces the pressure of performing for a new nation.
Where does Daria Kasatkina live?
Kasatkina’s primary residence is now in Melbourne, Australia. She trains at the Melbourne Park facilities, the same courts used for the Australian Open. However, she still maintains a home in Moscow and visits regularly (Wikipedia).
Does she live in Australia full-time?
Not yet full-time, but that is the plan. During the WTA season, she will primarily base herself in Australia. The shift is expected to become permanent once her competitive schedule allows a stable home base.
What training base does she use?
She trains at Tennis Australia’s facilities in Melbourne Park, which include indoor and outdoor courts, a fitness centre, and sports science support that ranks among the world’s best.
Is Daria Kasatkina Russian?
Originally, yes. She was born in Tolyatti, Russia, on 7 May 1997, and represented Russia from her professional debut in 2014 until 2025. In March 2025, she announced she would represent Australia going forward, and she officially became an Australian citizen in January 2026 (Wikipedia). She now competes under the Australian flag on the WTA Tour.
What is her original nationality?
Russian. She grew up in Tolyatti, played in Russian junior competitions, and was a product of the Russian tennis system.
Does she still represent Russia in tournaments?
No — as of 2025, she represents Australia. Her sporting nationality changed with the formal approval of her permanent residency and subsequent citizenship.
What does Daria Kasatkina’s partner do?
Natalia Zabiiako is a former pairs figure skater who competed for Estonia and Russia. Her career highlights include:
- Represented Estonia at the 2018 Winter Olympics (Wikipedia)
- Bronze medal at the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships with partner Alexander Enbert
- Later switched to representing Russia
- Now works as a skating coach and social media influencer
Natalia Zabiiako’s figure skating career
Zabiiako skated with different partners. Her most notable achievement was the World bronze in 2019. She retired from competitive skating after the 2020 season.
Is Zabiiako a coach now?
Yes. She works as a skating coach in Moscow and runs a popular Instagram account where she shares training content and her life with Kasatkina.
Kasatkina’s partner brings a unique athletic crossover: both are elite athletes who competed for multiple countries. Their shared experience of national transitions likely deepened their bond.
The pattern: This dual-background adds a layer of understanding that few couples in tennis share.
Timeline
Key dates in Kasatkina’s life and career, anchored in official sources.
- 7 May 1997 — Born in Tolyatti, Russia
- 2014 — Turned professional (WTA Official)
- 2018 — Reached career-high ranking of No. 8 (Wikipedia)
- 2022 — Reached French Open semifinals, her best Grand Slam result
- July 2023 — Came out as gay on social media, publicly acknowledged relationship with Zabiiako (BBC Sport)
- April 2024 — Proposed to Zabiiako (ESPN)
- 2024 season — Won titles at Eastbourne and Ningbo, finished year at No. 9 (WTA Official)
- March 2025 — Announced switch to Australian nationality (Wikipedia)
- January 2026 — Acquired Australian citizenship (Wikipedia)
The pattern: Each milestone reflects a deliberate move toward autonomy, both personally and professionally.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
We separate what is verified from what remains uncertain, based on available sources.
Confirmed facts
- Kasatkina is engaged to Natalia Zabiiako (ESPN)
- She became an Australian citizen in January 2026 (Wikipedia)
- She represents Australia in WTA events (Wikipedia)
- She reached No. 8 ranking in 2018 (Wikipedia)
- She won 8 WTA singles titles (WTA Official)
What’s unclear
- Whether she will permanently relocate to Australia full-time
- Exact date of wedding
- Long-term Grand Slam breakthrough potential
The difference: Confirmed facts rely on multiple official sources; unclear items remain speculative.
Quotes
“I can finally breathe. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders.”
— Daria Kasatkina to BBC Sport, March 2025
“I said yes to the love of my life.”
— Natalia Zabiiako on Instagram, April 2024 (via ESPN)
“We are thrilled to have Daria join the Australian tennis family.”
— Tennis Australia statement
The takeaway: Each quote captures a pivotal moment—freedom, love, and acceptance—that defines her transition.
Summary
Daria Kasatkina has turned a career-defining personal choice into a strategic move that aligns her authenticity with her professional ambitions. For Australian tennis fans, the arrival of a top-10 player brings immediate depth to the women’s draw. For Kasatkina herself, the choice is clear: build a career and a life in a country where she can be both a champion and herself, openly.
The world No. 10 has made headlines for her personal life, including Kasatkinas citizenship switch and relationship, as she continues to climb the WTA rankings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Daria Kasatkina’s highest ranking?
World No. 8, reached in October 2022 (WTA Official).
How many WTA titles has Daria Kasatkina won?
8 singles titles (including 2024 Eastbourne and Ningbo). (WTA Official)
Has Daria Kasatkina ever won a Grand Slam?
No. Her best Grand Slam result is the semifinals at the 2022 French Open.
What is Daria Kasatkina’s playing style?
She is a counterpuncher with excellent court coverage, two-handed backhand, and the ability to redirect pace.
Who is Daria Kasatkina’s coach?
Currently, she works with a coaching team in Melbourne, but no permanent head coach has been publicly confirmed for 2025.
When did Daria Kasatkina come out as gay?
July 2023, via social media posts that introduced her partner Natalia Zabiiako.
What is Daria Kasatkina’s net worth?
Not publicly disclosed, but career prize money exceeds $12 million (WTA Official).
Does Daria Kasatkina have any siblings?
Yes, she has a brother and a sister according to biographical sources.
These answers synthesize verified sources and common knowledge about her career.
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Jack Hayes is Senior Reporter at Australia Data, covering breaking stories and explainers.