Russian tennis star in rare dissident criticism of Ukraine war, she comes out as gay
Daria Kasatkina, Russia's top female tennis player, has come out as gay and criticized the war in Ukraine in an unusually candid interview that highlights the problems top athletes face in navigating the aftermath of conflict - both at home and abroad.
Kasatkina, 25, touched on two of Russia's most sensitive topics - Ukraine and LGBTQ rights - in a wide-ranging conversation with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko that was recorded in Barcelona and released on YouTube on Monday.
Kasatkina - world number 12 in women's tennis - said she wanted "an end to the war" and described the conflict as "an absolute nightmare".
He said that since Russia invaded Ukraine, "there hasn't been a day since February 24 that" he hasn't read or thought about the war.
"I want to play against players who have the opportunity to train and prepare for tournaments like I do, who don't have to worry about bombing the court and [getting anywhere]," he added.
Kasatkina is the latest Russian athlete to speak out against the war, speaking out against a Russian law that bans anyone from criticizing what officials call Russia's "special military operations" in Ukraine.
Acknowledging the significance of the position she took, Kasatkina broke down in tears in a video when asked if she feared she would never return to Russia, admitting it was something she considered.
During the interview, Kasatkina also revealed that she had a girlfriend - a significant step, given that LGBTQ issues are taboo in Russia, where it has been illegal to disseminate information about "non-traditional sexual relations" to minors for nearly a decade. homosexual relationship
"I believe it's important that influential people in sports or any other field really talk about it," he said, adding that "living in the closet" would be very difficult in the long run.
She later posted a photo on social media with figure skater Natalia Zabiako - who has competed for Russia, Estonia and Canada - and captioned it "My cutie pie."
Last year, the US-based non-profit Freedom House gave Russia a score of zero for equal treatment of minorities in society, including gay people. "LGBT+ people also suffer substantial discrimination, which has worsened over the past decade," the group wrote in their report. Russia has also banned pro-LGBTQ demonstrations and restricted LGBTQ advocacy groups.
When asked if she thought it would be acceptable for same-sex couples to hold hands in public in Russia, Kasatkina replied: "Never."
Tennis players are allowed to compete in many major tournaments as long as they remain neutral in the conflict — and they cannot compete under their national flag.
In a move that later proved controversial in tennis, Wimbledon banned Russian and Belorussian athletes from competition altogether — including many of the world's top male and female players, including Kasatkina.
Russia and Belarus' bans from Wimbledon leave 16 outside the top 100
While not commenting on the ban, Kasatkina said that "sports are not outside of politics" but added that they "really bring people and nations together".
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