Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Frustrated by red tape, Daria Kasatkina is still anxiously awaiting the chance to play Billie Jean King Cup for Australia after embracing her new homeland following years living like a tennis gypsy.
Kasatkina proudly took to social media to post a picture of herself in front of the Australian flag and holding her certificate of citizenship on the day before this year’s Australian Open.
“Officially an Australian. Happy, grateful and free,” she said having been exiled from Russia for being openly gay and publicly criticising President Vladimir Putin and the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I can finally breathe again.”
But eight months on and the one-time world No.8 still can’t play team events and wear the green and gold despite playing under the Australian flag since being granted permanent residency in March 2025.
“I mean, I’m still waiting for to represent Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup, in the national team,” the 29-year-old told AAP after being eliminated from the US Open in New York.
“I’m really still waiting for the decision and it takes a bit too long, but I’m really looking forward. I know the whole team, the whole crew, I know everyone and I’m really looking forward to sharing the locker room with them and camaraderie and everything.
“Just the last step does not depend on me unfortunately, so there is nothing I can do to speed it up and I can just wait.”
Kasatkina cannot yet represent Australia in the formerly known Fed Cup event because she previously played for Russia, with any official clearance from World Tennis still pending.
Australia’s next tie is a playoff against France on indoor clay in Le Portel in November and Kasatkina would be a valuable option for skipper Sam Stosur.
Apart from being one of the most popular players on tour, the accomplished all-court player has reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals on grass, even beating Ash Barty at SW19 one year, the French Open quarter-finals on clay and the last 16 on hard courts at both the Australian and US Opens.
Runners-up in 2022, Australia need to beat France to return to next year’s qualifiers and the chance to play for the trophy.
Stosur will choose from Australian No.1 Kim Birrell, who is set climb to a career-high world No.55 after making the US Open second round, Maya Joint, slated to rise back to 67th, the versatile Storm Hunter and emerging stars Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston and Emerson Jones.
