Daria Kasatkina showed all her courage and decided to speak out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The reaction of the player born in 1997 to the question that a local journalist asked her in a very polite way went around the world.
“What do you want right now? Aren’t you afraid that they will take away your house after the statements you made? Didn’t this thought cross your mind? Aren’t you afraid that you won’t be able to go back to Russia, for example?” asked the journalist.
Daria explained: “I just want the war to end.” The Russian tennis player was unable to hold back the tears after the hypotheses elaborated by her interlocutor. Kasatkina was also one of the few players to come out and go public about her relationship with Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
Kasatkina: “I haven’t seen my father for two years”
Kastkina said in an exclusive interview with The Guardian: “It was great to come out: I haven’t seen any negative reactions, especially from people I know. It is a very delicate subject.
I’m so grateful, it made me feel great. Many athletes complimented me. It’s really nice. Honestly, coming out helped me. I felt less pressure. It took a load off my shoulders. Words against the war in Ukraine? Of course I’m worried.
I have many friends in Ukraine. Listening to their stories, what they tell me. I put myself in their shoes and it’s very painful. It’s very difficult, they’ve been living in these circumstances for almost a year. I want this to end as soon as possible, but sadly it’s not up to me.” In Russia, the reaction against Kasatkina’s words was very strong.
The risk is that you will be considered a foreign agent. She said: “You never know what might happen. For many people, having the support of family and friends is important. It was very difficult because my friends and family couldn’t travel with me, first because of COVID and then because of the war.
It’s hard not being able to see the people I love on a regular basis. In fact, I can barely see them. I’ve been here for two years without seeing my father. He is what he is he. Unfortunately that’s life.”
