When she announced her change of nationality from Russia to Austria last month, Anastasia Potapova chose to simply copy and paste the statement that Daria Kasatkina had used earlier in 2025 when she changed her representation from Russia to Australia. The funny move quickly went viral, and after her first-round match at the Australian Open, Potapova confirmed journalists’ observations, dismissing the “copy-and-paste scandal” with a casual, “Why not?”
Anastasia Potapova claims her first Grand Slam victory representing Austria. pic.twitter.com/mvvY2hq6Nh
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 18, 2026
Speaking to the press after storming back from 6-3 to 5-1 against Suzan Lamens to win her Grand Slam debut representing Austria on Day 1 of the Australian Open, Potapova explained why she saw nothing wrong with not writing her own statement and using Kasatkina’s instead.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that, because there’s no better way to say it. And why not? They were perfect words. I loved it. We had a great time with my team, with everyone,” the world number 55 explained.
“So we tried. I don’t think anything terrible happened. I think the media just blew it up just because they didn’t like it happening. I mean, who cares about reports, right?”
It’s no problem that she copied the statement, but it would have been so easy to write something herself, straight from the heart. It’s so funny that she And her team decided it was better to take Kasatkina’s statement and edit a few words instead.
During the press conference, Potapova also spoke about her new clothing sponsorship with Wilson.
“I really loved every piece they have,” Potapova exclaimed. “It’s quite rare these days to see something I really enjoy wearing on the pitch.” (source: Tennis.com)
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