In the ever-evolving world of professional tennis, national allegiances can sometimes shift as swiftly as a rally’s pace.

FILE - Daria Kasatkina of Russia plays a backhand return to Emma Navarro of the U.S. during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan ...

Daria Kasatkina has announced that her application for permanent residency in Australia has been accepted — and she'll be representing her "new homeland" from now on. The 27-year-old out lesbian ...

By George Ramsay, CNN (CNN) — Russian-born tennis player Daria Kasatkina said that she “didn’t have much choice” about the decision to compete for Australia due to her sexuality.

FILE - Daria Kasatkina of Russia plays a backhand return to Emma Navarro of the U.S. during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan ...

Kasatkina, in her first match representing Australia, defeated Davis 6-1, 6-1. And while the scoreline might have made her win look easy, Kasatkina did not see it that way.

FILE - Daria Kasatkina of Russia plays a backhand return to Emma Navarro of the U.S. during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan ...

Kasatkina, in her first match representing Australia, defeated Davis 6-1, 6-1. And while the scoreline might have made her win look easy, Kasatkina did not see it that way.

FILE - Daria Kasatkina of Russia plays a backhand return to Emma Navarro of the U.S. during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan ...

FILE - Daria Kasatkina of Russia plays a backhand return to Emma Navarro of the U.S. during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan ...