Daria Kasatkina is experiencing Melbourne Park in a whole new way this year. The Russian-born tennis player now calls Australia home. She recently became an official Australian citizen. This marks her first tournament as a local player at the iconic venue.
Embracing the Australian Mindset
Kasatkina finds Australia's famously relaxed attitude both amusing and refreshing. "They're not just chill, they're like, don't worry about it," she laughed during a recent interview. "I'm like, no I am worrying about it! What are you talking about?"
The 28-year-old athlete described how Australians encourage her to take things easier. "They're like, 'Give it a crack, it's okay!' And I'm like, makes sense actually. Have a coffee and just relax." This approach represents a significant shift from her previous life experiences.
A Background of Pressure and Survival
Kasatkina comes from a background she describes as shaped by pressure, sacrifice, and survival. The tennis star, who is engaged to figure skater Natalia Zabiiako and came out as gay three years ago, said this relaxed mindset was missing from her earlier years.
"This way of thinking is something I was missing," she explained. Despite visiting Australia for over a decade for tennis tournaments, she admits she was too focused on her sport to notice much else about the country.
"Before, I was like, very nice country, good coffee, nice animals," Kasatkina recalled with a smile. "Spiders we don't like, but okay!" Her perspective has deepened considerably since gaining permanent residency last March and citizenship earlier this month.
Arthur Fery's Family Legacy in Tennis
Meanwhile, another player is making waves at the Australian Open with a surprising family background. British professional Arthur Fery created the tournament's first major upset by defeating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli. The 23-year-old qualifier won in straight sets: 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-1.
Fery's journey to this Grand Slam main-draw match outside Britain is particularly interesting. He was born in the Paris suburb of Sevres and studied at Stanford University. There he earned scholar-athlete honors during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Tennis Runs in the Family
Tennis truly runs in Fery's blood. His mother, Olivia, competed in women's doubles at Roland Garros back in 1991. His father, Loïc, is a successful French businessman who serves as president of football club FC Lorient.
The 5-foot-9-inch professional says growing up around elite sport provided him with valuable early lessons. He learned about balance as much as backhands from his family environment.
"It really helped when I was younger in my development to have parents who know how pro-sport works," Fery explained. "They understand the pressures of it and keeping a good balance between trying to develop tennis but also having a life and having an education."
Olivia Fery played a crucial role in guiding her son's career during his early years. She flew to Melbourne immediately after he qualified for the main draw. "Now she leaves me with my coaches to talk about tennis," Arthur added. "But like everyone's mum and dad, they still give life advice."
Current Rankings and Tournament Context
Kasatkina, a former top-10 player, currently holds the No. 43 ranking in women's tennis. Her transition to Australian citizenship comes during an important phase of her career. She continues to adapt to both her new national identity and the distinctive Australian approach to life and sport.
Both players represent the diverse backgrounds and personal journeys that make Grand Slam tournaments like the Australian Open so compelling. Their stories highlight how tennis careers develop through unique combinations of personal history, family influence, and cultural adaptation.
