“Hold hands? Never!”
Russian tennis star comes out as gay
The Russian tennis player Darya Kassatkina (25), the world number 12 in women’s tennis, publicly admits to her homosexuality.
In an interview with Youtuber Vitia Kravchenko on Monday, the 25-year-old explains that she currently has a girlfriend.
Kassatkina also posts a photo with her friend on Instagram in the evening. Same-sex partnerships are not recognized in Russia.
“For young people who are confronted with problems in public, it is very important if athletes or other well-known personalities talk about it,” said Kassatkina, who also praised footballer Nadezhda Karpova, who became Russia’s first female athlete to her known homosexuality. “That gave a lot of people a lot of courage,” said the Russian from Tolyatti.
Kassatkina is currently twelfth in the world rankings, making her the best Russian player. She explains: “It’s difficult and there’s no point in hiding in a quiet room. There are so many taboos in Russia.” Homosexuality is not even the most important thing.
“Everyone else can do us”
When asked if it will ever be possible for same-sex couples to hold hands in Russia, Kassatkina replies: “Never. hold hands for who? The way things are right now, this will never be okay. We had positive tendencies, not so long ago, around the 2018 World Cup, we were closer to the West.”
But now the way was blocked. Road construction work,” says Kassatkina ironically. “Being at peace with yourself is the only thing that matters. And everyone else can do us.”
Kassatkina was seeded in second place at Rothenbaum in Hamburg, but surprisingly failed in three sets against the Czech Katerina Siniakova.
Kassatkina has been playing professionally since 2014 and has won four WTA tournaments on the tour so far. (AFP/wst)
