Anastasia Potapova says she doesn't see "anything wrong" in copying Daria Kasatkina statement about switching away from Russia.
If you can recall, eight-time WTA champion Kasatkina – who was born in Tolyatti – took the Australian passport last April.
In December, Moscow-born Potapova pulled off a similar move as she stopped to represent Russia and picked Austria instead.
However, when the Potapova switch news came out, the thing that mostly drew attention wasn't the actual switch, but the fact that her announcement message fully resembled Kasatkina's. The word of the country was the only thing that was changed in the message.
Playing in her first Grand Slam as an Austrian player, the world No. 55 came from a set down to beat Suzan Lamens 3-6 7-5 6-2 in the Australian Open first round. Later in her press conference, the three-time WTA champion publicly confirmed that she indeed copied Kasatkina's statement.
Potapova on copying Kasatkina's message: I don't find anything wrong with that… It was perfect words
“I don’t find anything wrong with that. You cannot say it in a better way. Why not? It was perfect words. I loved it… We gave it a shot," the 24-year-old said in Melbourne when asked about copying Kasatkina's statement about switching her allegiance from Russia to Austria.
Asked Anastasia Potapova about copying-and-pasting Daria Kasatkina’s statement about switching away from Russia.
Her reply, essentially: “I couldn’t have said it better myself…so I didn’t.” pic.twitter.com/mxrWpTZUVe
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 18, 2026
While the tennis community was having a laugh about Potapova copying Kasatkina's statement, the new Australian player reacted: "💀 And no, we are not from same agency😂."
Potapova and Kasatkina actually met in their first tournament of the year as the Austrian beat the Australian in Brisbane 7-5 4-6 6-4.
