Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs was glad to see Sergiy Stakhovsky showing support to Daria Kasatkina but added she feels the Ukrainian needs to provide some more answers following his controversial comments about women’s tennis.
Several years ago, Stakhovsky came under scrutiny after saying: “On the WTA tour, almost every other player is a lesbian. Can you imagine – half of them. So I for sure won’t send my daughter to play tennis.” This week, top-ranked Russian female tennis player Kasatkina came out as gay.
On Twitter, Kasatkina posted a selfie with her girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako. “It takes courage. Nothing but admiration for your freedom,” Stakhovsky wrote on Kasatkina’s post.
Stubbs needs more answers from Stakhovsky
“Sergiy, does this come with an apology over what you said years ago about not wanting your daughter to play tennis because of this exact thing? I hope you’re safe and well & I mean that with all my heart & i am so sorry for what’s happening in your country but you should clarify,” Stubbs responded.
Sergiy, does this come with an apology over what U said years ago about not wanting your daughter to play tennis because of this exact thing? I hope you’re safe and well & i mean that with all my heart & i am so sorry for what’s happening in your country but u should clarify.
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) July 19, 2022
Kasatkina is one of the most popular Russian athletes and this week she called for the peace in the world and the end of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. Kasatkina confirmed she is not really affected by the war in Ukraine but feels for all the Ukrainians that are going through a difficult time.
“For the war to end. There hasn’t been a single day since February 24 (when Russia invaded Ukraine) that I haven’t read some news or haven’t thought of for the day to pass by,” Kasatkina said during a conversation with blogger Vitya Kravchenko.
“Really I have no connection with it (the war). I haven’t been affected, thank God, barely minimum, Wimbledon and all that. But people who have relatives in Ukraine, especially when you start talking about Russia. I can’t imagine what they are going through.
It’s full-blown nightmare. Without a thought, I would do anything I can (to end it), but unfortunately (I can’t).”
