Russian No 1 tennis player Daria Kasatkina reveals she is gay and hits out at Ukraine invasion – msnNOW
© REUTERS Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 2, 2022 Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in action during her semi final match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek – – REUTERS
Russia’s top women’s player has come out as gay and called for an end to its invasion of Ukraine.
Daria Kasatkina, the world number 12 who was banned from Wimbledon along with all Russian and Belarusian players over the ongoing war, said in a video interview she was in a relationship with another woman and that “living in the closet is impossible”.
This year’s French Open semi-finalist later posted a picture on Instagram of her embracing Russian Olympic figure skating silver medalist Natalia Zabiiako with a heart emoji and called her “my cutie pie” in a Twitter post.
Zabiiako, who won her Olympic medal in 2018, posted the same picture and emoji on Instagram.
In her interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina spoke out as her country debates launching a new crackdown on the promotion of homosexuality.
She also broke down in tears when asked if she feared she would now not be able to return there.
“So many subjects are taboo in Russia,” said Kasatkina, who lives and trains in Spain. “This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.”
The promotion of homosexuality to children has been illegal in Russia since 2013, with the law used to stop gay pride marches and detain activists.
It could soon be toughened up to a blanket ban.
Expressing fears she would “never” be able to hold her girlfriend’s hand in her homeland, she added: “Living in the closet is impossible. It is too hard, it is pointless. Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters, and f— everyone else.”
Kasatkina said she was inspired to come out after Russian footballer Nadya Karpova revealed she was gay last month.
“I believe it is important that influential people from sports, or any other sphere really, speak about it,” Kasatkina added. “It is important for young people who have a hard time with society and need support.”
Asked what she wanted most in life, she replied, “For the war to end,” describing the conflict in Ukraine as a “complete nightmare”.
Those criticising the war in Russia can face imprisonment.
Kasatkina’s run to the French Open semis, where she lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek, was her best grand slam performance.
Her previous best was reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2018, where she was also defeated by the ultimate winner, Angelique Kerber.
In her interview, Kasatkina raised the prospect of changing her citizenship in light of Russia’s ban from world sport.
“Our federation went out of existence for the International Tennis Federation,” she said. “The world championship was taken away from us. Things are up in the air with the Olympics.
“Passport change? We’ll see.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Andrey Rublev, Russia’s No 2 men’s player, who said: “Speaking about access to Wimbledon, it would be acceptable to change the passport. Participation would be allowed then.
“If we are banned from all tournaments and I want to continue a sports career then, yes, that would be one of the options.”