"Nobody cares": Anastasia Potapova shrugs off copying Daria Kasatkina's nationality switch statement

Anastasia Potapova was close to walking through the exit door in her first Grand Slam match representing Austria, before everything changed Sunday at the Australian Open.

Down 5-1 in the second set to Suzan Lamens, Potapova stormed back to seize a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory.

“I completely relaxed. I started to swing. I said, ‘okay, if I lose, I mean I was almost in the locker room,’” Potapova said in her press conference.

An an array of topics came up with the 24-year-old following her come-from-behind victory, including the finger fracture she is carrying, practicing with boyfriend Tallon Griekspoor, working on becoming eligible for Austria’s Billie Jean King Cup team and changing clothing sponsors to Wilson.

“I really loved every piece that they have,” Potapova exclaimed. “It's kind of a rare thing now to see something what I really like to wear on court.”

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The world No. 54 was also asked about the nationality switch announcement she posted on social media last month. The messaging appeared to be a carbon copy of Daria Kasatkina’s statement when she moved to Australia.

I think the media just blew it up just because they didn't like me with the fact of it happening. I mean, who cares about posts, right?

Potapova shared that she didn’t discuss with Kasatkina, asserting that “nobody cares” about the matter.

“I don't find anything wrong with that because you cannot say it in a better way. And why not? It was perfect words. I loved it. We loved it with my team, with everyone,” she explained.

“So, gave it a shot. I don't think that it's something terrible happened. I think the media just blew it up just because they didn't like me with the fact of it happening. I mean, who cares about posts, right?

“We talk a lot. We're actually good friends.”

For a place in the third round, Potapova takes on No. 28 seed Emma Raducanu in a first-time meeting. The 2021 US Open champion eased past Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-4, 6-1.