Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina becomes permanent resident in Australia
Daria Kasatkina, one of the best tennis in the world from Russia, announced on Friday that she decided to become permanent resident in Australia and to represent that country internationally in its sport.
Kasatkina, the world n. 12, was a rare athlete from Russia to criticize the country since the forces of President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. Kasatkina is also openly gay and regularly produces videos with its partner on their life together while traveling for the world in the tennis tour.
Kasatkina did the announcement on social media.
“Australia is a place I love, it is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally home,” wrote Kasatkina. “I love being in Melbourne and I can’t wait to take home there.”
Kasatkina continued saying that parts of the decision were not easy. “I will always have respect and affectionate appreciation for my roots, but I am excited to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag.”
Kasatkina made news in 2022 when he published a video in which he publicly criticized the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
During a series of interviews with Russian blogger vitya kravchenko In Barcelona who were Posted on YouTubeHe described war as a “full -blown nightmare” and said that the end of the war was what he wanted most. It also came out as gay.
Kasatkina, who goes to “Dasha”, said he wanted to train and play against players “who must not worry about being bombed”. He expressed empathy for Ukrainian players who were forced to leave their homes and call tennis academies in western Europe to ask for a place to train while war rages in their country.
When asked if he would have been worried about his security if he decided to go home, Kasatkina replied: “Yes, I thought about it”. Andrey Rublev, another best Russian player – who wrote “No War please” on a camera after a game – appeared in that video with Kasatkina. The two are close friends.
Kasatkina’s comments on her sexuality were almost controversial at a time when Russia forced more and more members of the LGBTQ community to live a secret life.
“Living in the closet is the most difficult thing. It’s impossible,” he said.
When asked if two women would ever be able to walk on the street holding hands in Russia, he said: “Never”.
(Photo: Christopher Pike / Getty Images)
