Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Comes Out As Gay – Women’s Health
Russia’s No 1 female tennis star has spoken openly about being in a relationship with a woman, and admits that “living in peace with yourself is all that matters.”
Elite sports has long seen athletes treated as something of a product: with sponsorships and advertisers nipping at their heels, theirs is a life that demands the utmost discipline and drive and not surprisingly, the hyper-competitive nature of sport has seen talent overshadow the personalities and all-too human quirks that lie at the heart of these players. In recent years though, it’s become clear that we can no longer separate sport from culture and society at large. We’ve seen it as players make political statements on the field or court, while others have spoken up about what they believe in. When Aussie footballer Josh Cavallo came out as gay, he not only paved the way for others to speak their truth, but ensured that for those growing up, they would see themselves represented on the sporting field – no matter their sexual orientation or background.
Now, Daria Kasatkina, Russia’s highest-ranked female tennis player, has come out as gay. Posting a video, the Russian star and current world No 12 told blogger Vitya Kravchenko that she is in a relationship with a woman and found “living in the closet” incredibly challenging. Kasatkina, who is currently not based in Russia, has since proceeded to post images to Instagram of her and her girlfriend, figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
According to Kasatkina, she was inspired to come forward after Russian footballer Nadya Karpova revealed she was gay last month. “Not only did Nadya help herself by coming out and get this burden off her chest, she has also helped others,” said the tennis star. “I believe it is important that influential people from sports, or any other sphere really, speak about it. It is important for young people who have a hard time with society and need support.”
Not only did Kasatkina come forward to speak her truth, but she also spoke out against attitudes in Russia towards homosexuality and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights. “So many subjects are taboo in Russia,” she said. “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.”
“Seriously, if there is a choice, no one would choose being gay. Why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?”
daria kasatkina
Kasatkina also went on to talk about the existing “gay propaganda” law in Russia that was passed in 2013 and has been used to stop gay pride marches from taking place, while also detaining gay rights activists. It comes at a time where there are growing efforts from Russian lawmakers to broaden this law so as to impose a complete ban on the “promotion” of LGBTQ+ relationships in a positive or neutral light, to adults as well as minors, along with the depiction of LGBTQ+ content in cinemas.
For Kasatkina, it was important to speak her truth while reflecting on the fact that back home in Russia, she feared that she would “never” be able to hold her girlfriend’s hand in public. “Living in the closet is impossible. It is too hard, it is pointless,” she said. “Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters, and f**k everyone else.”
Kasatkina also acknowledged the tragedy of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has continued to decimate entire villages, buildings and killed countless innocent people in the process. When asked what she wants most in life, the tennis star simply said: “For the war to end,” before breaking down in tears as she described the conflict as a “complete nightmare.” For more information on how you can help the people of Ukraine right now, click the link here.