Anastasia Potapova has changed her nationality from Russian to Austrian following the approval of her citizenship application.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been banned from participating in team events, preventing Potapova from competing in the Billie Jean King Cup. The 24-year-old, who played for Russia in the 2018 and 2019 tournaments, will be eligible to represent Austria next year.
Potapova Announces She Will Play Under a Different Flag
“I am delighted to share that my citizenship application has been approved by the Austrian authorities,” Potapova posted on Instagram. “Austria is a country I adore; it is incredibly welcoming and feels like home to me. I enjoy being in Wien [Vienna] and am excited about establishing my second home there. As part of this transition, I am proud to declare that starting in 2026, I will be competing for my new homeland, Austria, in my professional tennis career from this point forward.”
Once the transition is official, Potapova, currently ranked No. 51 in the world, will become the top-ranked Austrian player, taking over from Julia Grabher, who is ranked 94.
In March 2022, Potapova said Russian athletes were hostages of the current situation amid the war, after her Ukrainian opponent, Elina Svitolina, threatened to boycott their match at the Monterrey Open.
Potapova, who has been sidelined since October due to injury after the China Open, is the latest among several Russians to switch their allegiance and represent another country.
Earlier this year, Daria Kasatkina revealed that Australia had approved her application for permanent residency. Doubles player Natela Dzalamidze switched to Georgia to compete at Wimbledon after Russian athletes faced bans in 2022.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
