Daria Kasatkina has a new flag next to her name at the French Open.
The Sporting News explains her recent nationality switch.
Why is Daria Kasatkina representing Australia?
Roland-Garros 2025 marks Kasatkina's maiden grand slam tournament as an Australian player.
In late March, the Russian-born tennis star revealed her application for permanent residence Down Under had been approved.
MORE: French Open 2025 – Australian player results, schedule
This subsequently saw Kasatkina change her allegiance to Australia on the professional circuit.
She cited her sexuality as one of the primary motivations behind her decision to defect.
The eight-time WTA tournament winner is the only openly gay female player in the top 100.
Russia currently prohibits LGBTQ+ activism, with the international movement considered an "extremist organisation," per the Sydney Morning Herald.
She had also been competing on the pro circuit as a neutral athlete since 2022, when Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing under their own flags due to the invasion of Ukraine.
"With everything going on in my previous country, I didn't have much choice," Kasatkina said in early April.
"For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it."
The 28-year-old has not visited her homeland in almost three years.
Kasatkina – who is set to make Melbourne home after living in Dubai in recent years – is enjoying a strong run at Roland-Garros.
After besting Kateřina Siniaková and Leolia Jeanjean in her opening two matches, she claimed arguably her best win of the season against No. 10 seed Paula Badosa in the third round.
A battle with teen sensation Mirra Andreeva now awaits, with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
Daria Kasatkina ranking
Kasatkina is currently the world No. 17.
This makes her the top-ranked Australian women's tennis player by a significant margin.
Maya Joint, her nearest fellow countrywoman, is at No. 63.