Anastasia Potapova is the latest Russian to make the switch to represent a different country. She has announced that she has obtained Austrian citizenship. She will compete for her new country from the start of the 2026 campaign.

This comes in the wake of her competing at the Northern Palmyra Trophies in St. Petersburg. The exhibition has come under a lot of heat due to links to the war occurring in Ukraine. Despite this, many top names turned up including Daniil Medvedev, Karen Khachanov, Alexander Bublik, Veronika Kudermetova and Yulia Putintseva. As well as Potapova, her partner, Tallon Greikspoor, also made the trip to compete.

This will be the last time Potapova competes for Russia. In reality, she has been unable to represent her country due to the war, with Russian and Belarusian players having to compete under a neutral banner. Tennis events have been halted in Russia while the two nations have been barred from competing in team events such as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and United Cup. However, this is not the case for the 24-year-old anymore as she switches to Austrian colours.

“I am delighted to let you all know that my application for citizenship has been accepted by the Austrian Government,” she wrote on Instagram. “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. As part of this I am proud to announce that starting from 2026 I will be representing my new homeland Austria in my professional tennis career from this point onwards.”

Able to represent her country once more on the big stage

While in Russia, Potapova commented on her frustration to be missing out on the team events, most notably in the Billie Jean King Cup. It is an event that she previously played for Russia in before the suspension was implemented. However, she is set to have a chance to return to the coveted event representing Austria.

“I think yes. Personally, for me. I was always happy to play on a team. I’m both a team player and an individual one. I can play on my own as well. But for me, team events were always fun — I always loved it. I hope that everything will change in the near future,” Potapova told Championat whilst competing in St. Petersburg.

In 2026, she will emerge as the number one Austrian. Currently, that honour is bestowed by Julia Grabher who sits 92nd in the world. Potapova will leapfrog her into top spot as she is ranked world number 51. She clambered as high as number 21 in 2023, with her last title coming earlier this year in the Transylvania Open.  

Potapova has not played in a WTA match since her round-of-16 defeat in the China Open to eventual finalist Linda Noskova. This break was due to injury as she looks to recover and get herself in the best shape possible for the upcoming 2026 campaign. She will proudly represent Austria Down Under.