Daria Kasatkina has played the Australian Open ten times. On Sunday, she finally does it as a local. When she steps onto court to face 18-year-old Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkova, it will mark her first Grand Slam match under the Australian flag — a quiet but deeply significant shift in a career shaped by constant adjustment.
For Kasatkina, this is not just a passport change. It is the first chance to feel Melbourne as a home Slam, with all the emotion and unfamiliar nerves that come with it.
“I’ve Never Been in This Situation Before”
“Playing in front of such a big home crowd for the first time will be special,” Kasatkina said. “I definitely have to keep my nerves under control because I’ve never been in this situation before. But honestly, I’m very proud. It’s an extremely positive change.”
The transition became official in 2025, but this season marks her first real opportunity to experience it publicly. “Last year was a transition year, and it brought me to where I am now. I’m really happy about it.”
That happiness has been tempered by patience. Brisbane ended quickly with a first-round loss to Anastasia Potapova, but Adelaide offered a breakthrough moment — a 7–6(2), 6–4 win over Maria Sakkari that finally put Kasatkina in front of an Australian crowd as one of their own.
Confidence Without Illusion
Her Adelaide run ended in the second round against Jaqueline Cristian, yet Kasatkina arrives in Melbourne believing a run is possible. At 28, she is now listed as Australia’s second-highest ranked player, behind only world No.32 Maya Joint — an unusual label, but one she carries with understated pride.
There is no talk of entitlement, only work. Kasatkina knows the draw is unforgiving and the margins thinner than ever.
Speaking Plainly on Online Abuse
Away from the baseline, Kasatkina again addressed an issue she has never tried to dodge: online abuse. It remains part of the job she did not sign up for.
“Unfortunately, yes,” she said when asked if it continues. “All I can do is close my comments or DMs before matches. Even then, some messages still find you.”
She was blunt about the source. “Some people bet on tennis and blame us when they lose money. It still hurts a bit, but you try to understand they don’t know anything.”
The solution, for now, is limited. “We are public athletes, so everyone has an opinion. Abuse is not okay, but we don’t yet have strong mechanisms to stop it. I hope technology and AI can help in the future.”
Defending Her Best Melbourne Run
There is also history to protect. Kasatkina reached the fourth round here last year — her best Australian Open result — cruising through the opening rounds before Emma Navarro stopped her in the last 16. She did it as the No.9 seed then. This time, she arrives with fewer guarantees and more unknowns.
“Last year was my best result here, but there are no easy draws anymore,” she said. “There’s no point calculating chances.”
Her focus is narrower, and more honest.
“My priority is to get my confidence and mental level back. Physically I’m quite okay, but last season left marks. I go match by match, tournament by tournament, working on all aspects — especially the mental side.”
She paused, then added the line that best captures where she is now. “I have no regrets about how I do my job. That’s the most important thing.”
Daria Kasatkina’s Presser on Youtube
What Comes Next
Kasatkina opens against Bartunkova, a teenager with nothing to lose and little data attached. Should she progress, a bruising second-round test awaits against either Katie Boulter or 10th seed Belinda Bencic.
For now, the symbolism comes first. After a decade of appearances, Kasatkina finally walks into Melbourne Park as a home player — proud, realistic, and quietly determined to make the moment count.