Anastasia Potapova, currently ranked world No. 51, has announced that she will represent Austria starting in 2026. The 24-year-old tennis star shared the news on Instagram, confirming that her application for Austrian citizenship has been accepted.
“I am delighted to let you all know that my application for citizenship has been accepted by the Austrian Government,” Potapova wrote. “Austria is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Wien and look forward to making my second home there.”
The broader exodus of Russian players
Potapova is the fourth Russian WTA player to change nationality in 2025. Daria Kasatkina now competes for Australia, while Maria Timofeeva and Kamilla Rakhimova have both become citizens of Uzbekistan. This trend reflects the ongoing challenges faced by Russian athletes amid the Russia–Ukraine war.
Career highlights
Potapova reached her career-high singles ranking of No. 21 in June 2023. She has won three WTA singles titles—at Istanbul in 2022, Linz in 2023, and Cluj-Napoca in 2025—alongside three doubles titles. With her move to Austria, she will begin a new chapter both professionally and personally, carrying the Austrian flag next to her name from the start of the 2026 season.
Anastasia Potapova in 2025
Ranked world no.51, the Austrian played her last match on the 1st of October when she capitulated to world no.13 Linda Noskova 6-2 6-4 in the 4th round in Beijing (draw).
This year Potapova owns a composed 24-16 match record. Potapova clinched 1 title in Napoca.