Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina has criticized her country’s attitude towards homosexuality after coming out as gay and has also called for an end to the war in Ukraine.
World No. 12 Kasatkina reached the semifinals of the French Open last month.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, but the dissemination of “gay propaganda” among minors is prohibited and Homophobia is widespread.
“Living in the closet is impossible,” said Kasatkina, 25.
“Being at peace with yourself is the only thing that matters.”
In conversation with the Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko She confirmed on YouTube that she has a girlfriend.
“So many topics are taboo in Russia,” she says. “Some of them are more important than ours, it’s no surprise.
“This idea that someone wants to be gay or want to become gay [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.
“If there is a choice, no one would choose to be gay, why make life harder for yourself, especially in Russia? What’s the point?
When asked if it would be safe to hold hands with her friend, she replied, “Never… judging by the things that are going on now, it will never be okay.”
Russian and Belarusian players have been banned from this year’s Wimbledon because of the invasion of Ukraine. Players from both countries were allowed to participate in the tennis tour, but not under their national flags.
When asked what she wants most in life, she replied, “The end of the war,” adding that it was a “full-blown nightmare.”
Russians are forbidden from using the word war to describe the invasion, and Russian President Vladimir Putin coined the phrase “military special operation” instead.
Kasatkina became tearful when asked if she was “scared” about not being able to return home, and replied, “Yes, I’ve thought about that.”
