Emma Raducanu’s next opponent now represents Austria after ‘copying’ player’s post

Story byRussian-born Anastasia Potapova reacts during her first round match against Netherlands' Suzan Lamens (REUTERS)Jamie BraidwoodMon, January 19, 2026 at 11:45 AM UTC·2 min readEmma Raducanu’s second-round opponent at the Australian Open switched nationalities last month and was accused of copying another player’s social media post as she made the announcement. The Russian-born Anastasia Potapova, the world No 55, confirmed in December that she now represents Austria and called the country “a place I love, incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home”. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut in announcing she is now an Austrian citizen, Potapova used the same words as former Russian player Daria Kasatkina when she announced her intention to represent Australia in March. Kasatkina has since gained Australian citizenship, making the decision to be “myself” as an openly gay player and having been critical of Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Potapova was asked about the similarities between her statement and Kasatkina’s after her opening win at the Australian Open and replied: “Well, I don't find anything wrong with that because you cannot say it in a better way. And why not? And yeah, it was perfect words.