Daria Kasatkina has a new approach to life, and it’s one which could help her tennis.
The 26-year-old was in a reflective mood when she chatted to The AO Show, an interview you can listen to in full on this week’s episode – the first in the podcast’s sixth season.
"I'm trying to get back to the kids' mentality,” said Kasatkina, the world No.18.
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"Remembering when I was a little kid, going to practise in the parents' car. I really believe that this child part inside every person, that's what helps you.
“I now realise that when you are a kid, everything it's more bright, everything feels amazing, unbelievable. And then as an adult, you're seeing the same things and they're not that amazing anymore. This is very sad. Like, the colours are becoming less bright.
"Keep this child alive, inside, is very important, because this will make you enjoy life more."
Kasatkina peaked at world No.8 just over a year ago, the culmination of a brilliant 2022 season – a significant highlight being her semifinal run at Roland Garros.
Despite coming off that level slightly in the past 12 months, she maintained a top-20 ranking in 2023, progressed to the second week at Roland Garros and the US Open, and reached two WTA finals (Adelaide and Eastbourne).
Since emerging as a rising star in 2015 with her third-round performance at the US Open, Kasatkina has been competing on tour for close to a decade.
The experiences from that, coupled with profound events in her off-court life, have led to a perspective shift.
"Outside of the court I like to enjoy really small things. To spend time with the people I love, even coming back home, seeing Natasha, my girlfriend. This makes me so happy, honestly,” she explained.
“I'm missing those things. Always on the road, hotels. Not often I can feel this 'home' spirit. Very important one.
"I left my home when I was 15 or 16 years old, and since then, I'm always more or less on the road. I can consider some places as my home, but there's always something missing, you know? Always something is not there. That's why it makes it a bit complicated.
“That's why for me it's very important to have, like, a home. To feel safe there, basically. Safe and sweet.”
The pre-season presents Kasatkina with mixed feelings; it’s extremely tough physically, but she appreciates the rare opportunity to stay in one place.
While admitting she is not a big fan of travelling, she’s happy to take the trip for the Australian summer of tennis.
“I already feel hungry to go to Australia,” she said.
“I'm missing Australia, to be honest. We don't have a big piece of the tournaments in Australia, it's just about one month, and for me, it's one of the best places we have on tour.
“So I'm really looking forward to it."
Kasatkina will begin her 2024 season at the Brisbane International, then will play the Adelaide International before heading to Melbourne for Australian Open 2024.