Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina's defiant opposition to her government's actions
Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, Russian tennis players can no longer compete under their national flag. This has also been the case for athletes from Belarus in support of Vladimir Putin's government.
19 February 2024 19:17
Despite all this, Anastasia Potapova still proudly displays the Russian flag. The situation is markedly different for Daria Kasatkina, however. She openly criticizes her country's government without fear of retribution.
"- It was a significant risk for me to condemn the war, especially since my parents are still in Russia. Yet, I couldn't stand by, maintain silence and pretend that everything was alright," she declared in an interview with The Sunday Times.
Kasatkina's courage extends beyond just condemning the war; she is also openly gay. She is currently in a relationship with Natalia Zabijako, an Estonian-born Russian figure skater who competes in sports pairs.
Kasatkina is fully aware that her chances of returning to Russia are slim, especially given her continued vocal opposition to the situation there. She opted to share a post from Yulia Navalny, wife of the deceased opposition figure Alexei, who passed away in a prison camp. The post featured the wife expressing her love for her late husband, accompanied by a photo of them together.
Her actions have certainly not gone unobserved. American journalist Ben Rothenberg hailed her as the "bravest voice in tennis." Fans, too, have been greatly impressed by Kasatkina's latest stance.
