Daria Kasatkina spoke about how challenging it feels to compete in events without being represented by the Russian flag. She indicated openness to playing under a neutral status and even floated the idea of proposing an alternative to the Women’s Tennis Association. This stance was shared in a discussion with the New York Times.
Kasatkina expressed a wish to ask the WTA for permission to compete under a rainbow flag, signaling support for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusivity in the sport.
In the summer of 2022, Kasatkina publicly shared her personal truth by coming out. She marked the moment with a photo featuring Russian figure skater Natalya Zabiyako after confirming the confession.
The Russian tennis star has claimed five WTA titles, helped her country win the Billie Jean King Cup, and earned a junior Grand Slam singles title in the past. Additionally, she is recognized as one of the youngest players to break into high rankings in the junior circuit and remains a prominent figure in Russian tennis history.
Recent WTA rankings place Kasatkina at number 14, a notable peak among Russian players. The global leaderboard is led by Iga Świątek of Poland, with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenko holding second and American Jessica Pegula third in the latest update.
There was also a remark from former coach Andrey Rublev about the physical demands of competitive tennis and the personal toll it can take on athletes when discussing the sport’s pressures. (source: New York Times)