Coco Gauff praises tennis community for support of Russia’s Daria Kasatkina coming out – San Francisco Chronicle
On Monday afternoon, Coco Gauff lauded the tennis community for its inclusivity when asked to comment on Daria Kasatkina recently coming out.
“I think in tennis, at least the girls around her, all are very supportive of each other’s backgrounds and identities,” Gauff said. “I’m not best friends with everyone, but I don’t think there’s any judgment when it comes to that. That’s something really great about tennis because it’s not common when you go into an area where people are from all around the world and you don’t feel judged.”
Gauff and Kasatkina are both in the Bay Area to compete in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at San Jose State this week. Kasatkina was to face Wimbledon singles champion Elena Rybakina in Monday evening’s featured match. Gauff will begin competition Tuesday evening against Anhelina Kalinina.
In an interview with a Russian blogger posted on YouTube on July 18, Kasatkina — Russia’s highest-ranked women’s singles player at No. 12 — said she was dating a woman and spoke about the struggles the LGBTQ+ community faces in her home country. She then posted photos of with her girlfriend, figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, on Twitter.
“This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming one is ridiculous,” Kasatkina said. “I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight,” she said. “Seriously, if there is a choice, no one would choose being gay. Why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?”
Gauff, who often uses her platform to speak about social issues, didn’t watch the interview but saw Kasatkina’s tweets and learned about the situation through social media.
“I am super happy for her,” Gauff said. “I think that would be something really scary to do, especially coming from her country, which normally isn’t as open as we are in the U.S. about that issue. I’m just really happy for her and I wish her the best. I hope the situation gets better.
“I’m grateful that she felt comfortable enough sharing that part of her life. She didn’t have to do that, but I can only imagine how many people in her situation feel inspired by that.”
Kikue Higuchi (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kikue.higuchi@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @kychiguchi