“Change your passport? We’ll see”: Kasatkina is out and can change citizenship

No time to read?
Get a summary

Sports citizenship change

Russian tennis players are one of the few athletes from Russia who can compete internationally. They are also prohibited from using the flag, their country is not mentioned during the competition, and the Russian team is suspended from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. It is worth remembering Wimbledon, one of the Grand Slam tournaments that refused to allow tennis players from Russia and Belarus. Sanctions were then imposed on the tournament – the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women’s Tennis Association did not give rating points for performance in London.

Against the background of the expulsion of Russian athletes from international tournaments, the issue of changing sports citizenship has been discussed for several months. Opinions, of course, are contradictory, for example, deputy Roman Teryushkov believes that the transfer of an athlete under another flag should be equated with treason. However, for many athletes, changing their sports citizenship is a chance to continue competing internationally. One of the best tennis players in Russia – Daria Kasatkina and Andrey Rublev – admitted in an interview with the YouTube channel “Vitya Kravchenko” that they were considering this option.

“If we are completely banned from all tournaments, if I want to continue my sports career, then this is one of the ways out,” Rublev said.

Ranked eighth in the ranking of the Association of Tennis Professionals, the athlete won the Olympic Games in the summer of 2021, where she was paired with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Rublev admitted that he hopes to participate in the Olympics again.

“I want to believe that I will still play. I really want to believe in this. And I am extremely grateful that I managed to get the gold,” he admitted.

Speaking about the change of sports citizenship, Kasatkina also talked about the status of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF), which was expelled from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) shortly after the start of a special military operation in Ukraine.

“There is nothing particularly authoritative. Roughly speaking, it is not officially available for the International Tennis Federation.

Today, there seems to be no Olympics and World Championships (Billie Jean King Cup). We’ll see there. The World Championship was taken away from us, when will it be returned? Walk, never come back, I don’t know. With the Olympics, it’s often unclear what the Olympics will be two years from now. In short, we are hermits. I don’t know what’s next. Change your passport? We’ll see,” said the tennis player.

Talking about the future of tennis, Kasatkina noted that they have already been pushed back due to the sanctions imposed, so it will be very difficult to enter the international level in the near future. She advised young tennis players to move to other federations if possible.

“We’ve already been thrown back. I think the younger generation, who are now 16-17 years old, still has a chance. They play, they have a chance to leave. They weren’t lucky, but they still have a chance. They’re smaller, I don’t know. In five years they’ll cross Russia and get a high Anyone who can reach the level is unrealistically handsome.

I think that many talented children whose parents will find the opportunity will change their citizenship. To be honest, we already have such questions: we were suspended from Wimbledon, we do not know what will happen next …

As for the children, I would say: if there is such an opportunity, gentlemen, change it. [спортивное гражданство]”, – said.

The well-known Russian commentator Dmitry Guberniev reacted to the statements of Rublev and Kasatkina, stating that the process of changing citizenship could begin more actively with the Olympics. There are already reports in the media that Russia may not be allowed to participate in the next Games, which will be held in the summer of 2024.

“We must be prepared for the fact that athletes from Russia will drastically change their sports citizenship! Whether we like it or not … Closer to the Olympics, the process can become very active … ”Guberniev wrote on his Telegram channel.

Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating, Tatyana Tarasova, supported the possible change of sports citizenship and noted that in this way athletes save their profession and career, for which they put so much effort.

“I’m not calling for a sports citizenship change in any way, but if they do it to keep their profession, it’s understandable. They devoted their whole lives to tennis, put a lot of effort, and became great champions in their fields. You can’t just take it and forget it. What happened now, to be a shoemaker? Each person decides for himself.

The Federation must then offer them an alternative. And if nothing is offered, what should they do? – RIA Novosti quoted Tarasova’s words.

Kasatkina is dating

Russian football player Nadezhda Karpova, who has played in Spain since 2017, spoke about her heterosexuality at the beginning of June 2022, admitting that she lives with a girl. He was the first person in Russian football to openly declare that he is an LGBTQ+ member. A little over a month later, Kasatkina decided to describe her orientation and became the first Russian tennis player to speak openly about her orientation.

“There are so many taboo subjects in our country. And there are more important matters that are forbidden, so it’s no surprise. Here’s the phrase “if you want to be gay”, if you want it or not, you did it, you didn’t. What is this nonsense? There is nothing in the world easier than being straight.

Who would choose to be gay if given the choice? Make life difficult for yourself. Seriously? Especially in Russia.

From the way things are going, never [в России нельзя будет ходить за ручку]. Not long ago – around the time of the World Cup – we made some progress. It was. He closed the road, did the repair work.

Living in the closet for a long time does not make sense. It will keep spinning around in your head until you say it. It is obvious that everyone chooses how and how much to open, but most importantly, you have to live comfortably with yourself.

When asked by Kravchenko whether he has a girlfriend now, Kasatkina answered in the affirmative, adding the reasons for the controversy by posting a photo on a social network with Russian skater Natalia Zabiyako, who had recently changed sports, a few hours after the interview was published. citizenship and will now represent Canada. The tennis player succinctly accompanied the broadcast with a “heart” expression. The figure skater responded in the same way – she posted the same picture on her page and also added a “heart” emoticon.

It is noteworthy that joint photos in the social networks of both athletes began to appear a long time ago – for several months. And Karpova noted in the comments to the new publication.

“You are beautiful! I am proud! – the actress wrote.

Commenting on the news of the recognition of Kasatkina, Tarasova noted that she does not condemn and does not support, since personal life is a personal matter for everyone. The honorable coach said that the main thing for him is a good game of tennis player.

“Usually, personal life concerns only the person to whom it belongs. But if Dasha decided to say this, she believes that there are people around her who can understand her! All this does not surprise me.

I do not support and do not condemn Kasatkina. This is his own business. Of course, people’s reactions will be different. Someone will condemn Daria, and someone will accept her as she is. The important thing for me is that he plays tennis well!” Sport24 quotes Tarasova.

Guberniev admitted that he was happy for Kasatkina and would not change his mind about her, because he knew her as a good girl and athlete, and her relationship was her own business.

“I am happy for Daria. In an interview with Nadia, Sagittarius said, “Love whoever you want. As long as we don’t touch our children.” If nature created it that way, then I can only wish Kastkina happiness.

Personal life is what is called personal. This is his job. I like Daria Kasatkina as a great athlete and a good girl. I don’t care about the private life of Elton John, Thomas Daly or anyone else. But I do not change my mind about people, ”Guberniev told Sport24.

Kasatkina was also supported by Andrey Chesnokov, the former semi-finalist of the world’s ninth racket Roland Garros, who remembers the event 20 years ago.

“My position is very mundane – it’s his choice and his own business. I don’t even want to get involved. I support Dasha. Every person has the right to privacy.

She’s a normal girl, she wouldn’t kill anyone. Dasha is living her wonderful life. Kasatkina is a wonderful person and it is a pleasure to communicate with her. Dasha is also a great tennis player.

About 20 years ago, the French “Tennis Shop” published an issue in which Amelie Mauresmo hugged and kissed her friend. He is 20 years old and his mistress is 30 or 32. It appeared in a tennis magazine. I wish Dasha good luck in her personal life, ”Quotes Championat.com Chesnokov.

No time to read?
Get a summary
Previous Article

Train in the tech industry and access the most in-demand jobs in less than 100 days

Next Article

Galina Makarova, author of the book “German Acting Art”, dies