Russian Tennis Player Daria Kasatkina Comes Out As Gay

Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina said she feels “free” since she came out as gay last month. Support has poured in from her fellow players, as ESPN writes.

Last month, Kasatkina was inspired to come out after a Russian soccer player, Nadya Karpova, said she was gay. These are significant in a country where homosexuality is frowned upon.

Passed in 2013, Russia's “gay propaganda” law has been used to stop gay Pride marches and detain activists.

“I don't know how the social media filter works, but I've just heard very good things,” Kasatkina said. “I'm really happy about it. As I saw, it was not just a good thing for me, also it helped other people. I feel more free and happy. I think I made the right step. With the situation in the world, all this stuff that is tough, when if not now?”

Her girlfriend, Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, has been cheering for her at the Silicon Valley Classic in California this week.

Naomi Osaka, former world number one, has spoken out about racial injustice and police brutality. She said it was “really amazing” to see Kasatkina take a stand. “I do think we have to rally to support her because it is a bit of a dangerous situation,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said. “But I think in all of that it's really incredible that she's coming out and she's standing for what she believes in. I'm always in support of that.”

Coco Gauff, an American tennis star who took an active role in the Black Lives Matter movement, said she was “super happy” for Kasatkina. “I think in tennis, at least with the girls around, we're all very supportive of each other no matter the background or identity,” Gauff said. “I don't think there's any judgment when it comes to that.”

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Russian Tennis Player Daria Kasatkina Comes Out

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