World No. 17 tennis player Daria Kasatkina shared her thoughts on competing at the French Open. This tournament marked her first Grand Slam appearance since acquiring Australian citizenship.
Speaking about her experience playing a Grand Slam under the new flag, Kasatkina described it as “great”. She explained that while the result was “good”, the most significant aspect was the feeling of being “incredibly comfortable” stepping onto the court as an Australian player.
Kasatkina specifically highlighted the “incredible” support she received from the spectators. She noted that even if not all fans were Australian, she “really felt this support”. Furthermore, she mentioned the positive feedback she`s been getting on social media from Australians who are “happy to see me on their team and are cheering for me,” finding this “something new” and “very pleasant.”
Although she always strives for more and feels the result could have been better, Kasatkina believes this tournament represents “an excellent start.”
Marcus Prine