By condemning Vladimir Putin and publicly coming out as gay, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina has proven she’s one of tennis’ bravest stars… now she’s hoping to make waves again at Wimbledon
- The 136th edition of the Championships are set to take place next week
- Kasatkina and others found out their fate after Friday’s first round draw
- Ahead of the tournament, Mail Sport takes a look at one of tennis’ bravest stars
Bravery is said to be one of the key components of a tennis player’s armoury, with physical and mental mettle needed on court in a demanding individual sport.
Not many players on the circuit are much braver than Daria Kasatkina, the Russian world No 11 who is the highest-profile athlete from the nation to speak out against its violent leader Vladimir Putin.
But not only has Kasatkina spoken out against Putin, she has taken the brave step to publicly come out as gay – a tough thing to do for many people but especially those from a nation which still frowns upon homosexuality.
‘So many subjects are taboo in Russia,’ she said when coming out in an online video last year. ‘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?’
Russia No. 1 Daria Kasatkina (pictured) has proved herself as one of tennis’ bravest players
From speaking out against Russian leader Vladimir Putin to publicly coming out as gay with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako (R) – Kasatkina has made waves already
Kasatkina previously claimed that Russia’s invasion on Ukraine – led by Putin (pictured) – was a ‘full-blown nightmare’ and that she wanted the conflict to end
‘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, 26, who goes by the name ‘Dasha’, described the war as a ‘full-blown nightmare’ and that she wanted nothing more than the conflict to end.
It was a bold move for the Russian and it has earned her the respect of many fans and team-mates – including Ukrainians, though they still won’t publicly shake her hand.
Kasatkina’s continued stance comes at a time when others have declined to condemn Putin’s regime. World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka was repeatedly pressed into speaking out against Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko last month but declined.
It led Sabalenka, who will give the All England Club a headache if she goes deep into the tournament this fortnight, to pull out of media obligations twice at the French Open after a Ukrainian journalist repeatedly pushed her into condemning Lukashenko.
So although Kasatkina is a welcome relief, many at Grand Slams will note that she is a Russian and not realise her stance and perhaps jeer her, which happened during her clash with Ukrainian Elina Svitolina at Roland Garros.
On this, she said: ‘It was a bit tough to leave Roland Garros, my favorite tournament, the way I was leaving the court. But I understand that maybe in France the fans there are not so much involved in the situation like they do here in the UK, so that’s my explanation.
‘Of course it feels much better to experience something like I experienced today (at Eastbourne, where fans did not boo her) because the situation is pretty obvious. The stance of the players from Ukraine was pretty clear, and we have to accept it and respect this position.’
Kasatkina regularly shares posts of her travels and training to followers on social media
Kasatkina may be one of the few Russian athletes to not be booed during Wimbledon
Fans at the All England Club might be drawn to boo Russian and Belarusian athletes, which also includes men’s world No 3 Daniil Medvedev, but Kasatkina might get a pass due to her welcomed stance.
Svitolina herself respects Kasatkina, saying last month: ‘I am really thankful for her position that she took. She’s a really brave person to say it publicly, that not so many players did.’
Kasatkina also runs a vlog with her girlfriend, figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, which is a fascinating watch given her off-court stance and also her on-court pedigree.
After reaching the final at the warm-up event in Eastbourne, Kasatkina enters SW19 as one of the most fascinating stories to follow – and maybe her next video will be about a decent run at Wimbledon.
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