Russian tennis star at US Open makes brave flag suggestion to WTA chiefs

Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has made a brave flag suggestion to WTA chiefs, with the openly gay 26-year-old wanting to play under a rainbow flag instead of being classed as a “neutral athlete”. Russian and Belarusian-born players are not playing under a flag due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

With the current situation, Kasatkina has suggested that she would like to discover if it is possible to instead play under a rainbow flag, symbolizing LGBTQ+ rights. The world No.13 laughed and said to The New York Times: “I want to ask the W.T.A. if I can play under the rainbow flag,” when asked if it was hard being unable to play under the Russian flag.

Kasatkina has used her platform to speak up against the government of her country’s actions in their neighboring country, as well as its treatment and perception of gay people.

“Everything was just so messed up already,” Kasatkina said. “It’s a war. The laws in our country are getting worse and worse. I realize to be a gay person in Russia, it’s becoming impossible. And all this together makes me say what I feel and what I want to say. And I just couldn’t be silent anymore about myself, about the war.”

Kasatkina could be fined and possibly even jailed for denouncing the war and for publicly discussing her sexuality, per Russian law. The tennis star is in a relationship with Natalia Zabiiako, a former Olympic figure skater. Whether authorities are to pursue such a prominent figure should she return to Russia is another matter. Nonetheless, Kasatkina isn’t taking any chances.

“It’s not a good time for me,” Kasatkina said of potentially visiting her parents in Russia. “You never know what can happen there, because now the police can do anything.”

Kasatkina’s issue is with the government’s actions – not Russia itself. The tennis star, who will play in the second round of the US Open against Sofia Kenin at a later date, reaffirmed her love for her country. “I love the people,” she said.

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Kasatkina also revealed that other Russian tennis players have considered seeking citizenship from other countries in order to carry on playing and avoid any negativity. Kasatkina also suggested that it’s an option that she hasn’t ruled out.

“Some of them are already switching,” she said. “I don’t know; let’s see. Everything also depends on whether we would be allowed to compete or not.”

Kasatkina won her first-round US Open match. She lost the first set against Alysia Parks but came back to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 and secure her place in the next round.

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