The conversation around national allegiance in tennis has taken on renewed significance as veteran player Yevgeny Kafelnikov weighs in on the possibility of Daria Kasatkina changing her sports citizenship. This comes at a moment when national identity and sporting eligibility intersect in high-profile ways, prompting fans and analysts to consider how a change of citizenship might influence a player’s career, sponsorships, and legacy on the court.
When asked about a potential shift in Kasatkina’s sporting citizenship, Kafelnikov offered a measured stance. “If the sport decides to change its citizenship, it will not affect my attitude toward him. Now if we’re treated like this, what else is there for them to do? I think they have the right to do as they see fit,” said the former champion, emphasizing that personal opinions should not dictate an athlete’s options or the decisions made by the sport’s governing bodies.
The conversation coincides with a broader controversy surrounding Wimbledon’s decision in April to bar competitors from Russia and Belarus from the tournament. That move extended to the Lawn Tennis Association’s turf events in England, where players from those two countries were also blocked from taking part. The policy sparked a debate about fairness, eligibility, and the impact such measures have on the competitive landscape and the opportunities available to players who represent or previously represented these nations.
The repercussions rippled through the sport’s global leadership as well. Ahead of the season’s flagship events, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that Wimbledon participants would not receive ranking points due to the non-participation of Russian and Belarusian players. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) aligned with that stance, reinforcing how point allocation can be affected when geopolitical considerations influence participation. In this climate, former Russian pro Andrey Rublev did not rule out the possibility of changing his sports citizenship, signaling that the question remains open for several players as the sport navigates politics, national affiliation, and on-court performance.