Russian-born tennis star Daria Kasatkina has found herself at the centre of a storm of online abuse following her bombshell announcement that she will represent Australia after being granted permanent residency.

The world No.12 has not returned to Russia for more than two years after coming out as gay in a video interview in 2022, when she also became one of few Russian-born athletes to speak out against the war in Ukraine.

She has said it is unsafe and ‘not possible’ for her to return, due to both her sexuality and her opposition to the war.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Kasatkina expressed her joy in gaining permanent residency in Australia and planned to move to Melbourne.

‘I am delighted to let you all know that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian Government,’ she said.

‘Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.

The 27-year-old came out as gay and spoke out against the Ukraine War before defecting from Russia to Australia to continue her tennis career

‘As part of this, I am proud to announce that I will be representing my new homeland Australia, in my professional tennis career from this point onwards…’

‘I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag.

‘Thank you all for your understanding and continued support.’

However, Kasatkina’s emotional declaration has been met with a wave of vitriolic comments online.

‘Shameful woman,’ replied one YouTube user.

‘Well, good luck traitor. This will come back to haunt you, my contempt,’ wrote another.

‘At a difficult moment when Russia needed support, this rat betrayed,’ said a third.

Despite the negativity, Kasatkina has received overwhelming support from fans and the broader tennis community. 

Kasatkina will call Melbourne home as she looks to represent her new country at the Australian Open in January

The tennis star has also received many hundreds of comments supporting her move

Kasatkina will be Australia’s new women’s No.1 and the country’s highest-ranked player since Ash Barty retired

Tennis Australia’s official account commented on her Instagram post, saying ‘Welcome to the Aussie tennis family’, while good friend Daria Saville wrote ‘new neighbour’.

The 27-year-old rose as high as No.8 in the world and has won eight WTA titles – her best grand slam result coming at the French Open where she reached the semi-finals in 2022.

Kasatkina follows the likes of Daria Saville, Ajla Tomljanovic and Arina Rodionova in making eligibility switches.

She will clearly be Australia’s new women’s No.1 and the country’s highest-ranked player since Ash Barty retired.

Kasatkina leads Kim Birrell (No.68), Joint (No.80), Tomljanovic (No.88), Olivia Gadecki (No.99) and Saville (No.105) among high-ranked Australians.

Kasatkina reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the first time this year, while she is a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist and has twice made the fourth round of the US Open.

She won the Billie Jean King Cup (then Federation Cup) with Russia in 2020-21.