ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2025

Daria Kasatkina

Press Conference

D. KASATKINA/K. Siniakova

6-1, 3-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Dasha, well done on the result today. Talk us through how you're feeling your thoughts on the match.

DARIA KASATKINA: Definitely was not easy match. I knew that, that it's going to be not easy. Also didn't play many matches, let's say, as a preparation before Roland Garros.

But really happy the way I was able to fight today and how I managed the nerves, the tough situations in the second, and then coming to the third set. Yeah, super proud of myself today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When you say about nerves, where did that come from? Just normal nerves, or is there something more than that because of the citizenship issues and you wanted to do well?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, honestly in tennis, the stress, like nerves, are always there. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but it's always there.

Plus we are, as human beings, we've got our problems which we have to deal with, as well. Stepping on court, it's not just a tennis battle; it's also the battle with your thoughts, with what's going on in your life.

Of course, changing the flag now, I want to be better, I want to bring success being an Australian. I think that's a little bit of pressure, but I think it's good. It's also a motivation.

Yeah, I would say stress is always there, and we are used to deal with that.

Q. You've played other tournaments for Australia. This is your first Grand Slam match representing your new country. Was there a special feeling with that? I don't know if you look at their app, but now there is the flag of Australia next to your name. What are the emotions of seeing that?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, it's a beautiful flag, first of all, honestly. Coming into the match, as I said, it's already tough because it's our job, it's a lot of nerves, it's competition, it's a Grand Slam. I was trying to be more focused on simple things, a tennis match.

Everything what's on the side stays on the side. It's good to have a little tension, which gives you the adrenaline, help you through the match. But when it's a bit too much, that's not good. I was trying to balance this moment. I think I did it pretty good.

Yeah, I mean, to play my first Grand Slam under Australian flag, it's big honor. Yeah, just feel super happy and proud to also win the first match, as well.

Q. What sort of reaction have you heard from other players?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, many players were happy for me, congratulated me, everything. The people outside of tennis, they were very happy for me because they knew the situation, how was tough for me.

Yeah, after all that happen, I just feel free with the wings. Yeah, the main thing is that I can live my life now freely and happy. With that, the tennis will come. That's the most important.

Yeah, I'm just really thankful to Australia to give me this opportunity. Yeah, couldn't be more happy to represent the country like that.

Q. Do you feel your form had been affected at all?

DARIA KASATKINA: The career is long. As I said, it's stressful. I mean, it was happening also before that I could struggle in some of the moments of my career. I don't think it's related directly to that.

Of course, last couple of months were quite intense, let's say. There was some attention, as well, which I had to deal with.

I don't connect it directly because, as I said, in tennis you can lose your confidence any day, let's say. You can find it any day soon, and you can also lose it pretty fast without knowing that.

But the most important is it's a good change. It's for better. It will help me sooner or later. The most important is the motivation is there. I'm working hard. I mean, also it's my 11th professional year on tour. When I realize that, I was like, Oh, wow. It's normal that sometimes you can have ups; sometimes you can have downs.

It's a part of the game, a part of the game and part of the career. You have to face that and just deal with it. That's what I'm doing.

Q. How much has the other Dasha helped you looking for houses, what have you, Daria Saville?

DARIA KASATKINA: First of all, she's super happy for me, which was super nice. Yeah, she's always asking when you moving, sending me the locations, the houses and everything. So yeah, she's very excited to have a new neighbor. I'm also very happy about that.

Yeah, I mean, we've been friends for very, very long time. To have someone like that as a neighbor, as a teammate, it feels great, honestly.

Q. Feel free to say no, you don't want to answer. Since changing the flag, have you had an opportunity to get back to Australia? And if so, how often? Have you decided on where in Melbourne you will live? Have they given you the passport yet? Finally, any idea as to when you can be part of the Billie Jean King Cup team?

DARIA KASATKINA: Answering the question if I had the opportunity to go back, unfortunately not yet because our calendar is super packed. I mean, after I made this change, it was March, then we just had the tournaments back to back. Even like the Australians couldn't go back. They cannot go back much.

For now it's not easy to find this spot. Unfortunately, with our calendar, is like that. But as soon as I will have this opportunity, I will do that.

Considering the place, exactly where I'm going to live there, it's still in the process. I have to go there and see. Before I was there as a tennis player, not as a tourist, but for business trips and stuff. My head was in a different position.

Now I'm going to look in Melbourne from a different perspective. When you're choosing where you're going to live, you're looking a little bit differently. So that's what I'm going to do.

Talking about the passport, no, I didn't get it yet because there is a process for everyone which I have to go through. I hope I can match the requirements as soon as possible. Of course, we will do everything possible to do that.

Talking about the Billie Jean King Cup, well, that process is more complicated, yes, which is not depending on me. It's something which Tennis Australia has to deal with the ITF. This is where it's already different language. I'm not going to be the part of it. This is where the Federation has to deal with the ITF.

Q. Why Australia as opposed to a different country?

DARIA KASATKINA: Because it's unbelievable country. Simple. The only minus is very far. Honestly, this country was always amaze me, how the people are just getting along with each other so good, how welcoming it is. Nature and everything.

I mean, me personally, I feel so comfortable there every time coming. Every year there, I was always so jealous for the people who were living there, being Australians. I was so jealous.

Couldn't believe that one day I could call myself an Australian. You never know where life will brings you. Yeah, the answer was pretty easy.