Homosexuality is often still a taboo subject in Russia. Now the Russian Darja Kassatkina, number twelve in the world rankings in tennis, has announced her coming out. She also criticized the stopped opening process in the country.
Russian tennis player Darya Kassatkina has made her homosexuality public. In a video interview with blogger Vitya Kravchenko published on Monday, she also criticized the fact that there were a number of “forbidden topics” in Russia. “For young people who face problems in public, it is very important if athletes or other well-known figures talk about it,” said Kassatkina. She has a life partner, she confirmed when asked.
Criticism of stopping social opening in Russia
In this context, Kassatkina also praised the Russian footballer Nadezhda Karpova, who was the first Russian athlete to come out as homosexual at the beginning of June. Kassatkina criticized that there are a lot of topics in Russia that shouldn’t be talked about. Homosexuality is not even the most important thing. There was a movement towards more openness at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but this process has stopped. “The road has been closed. Road works,” commented Kassatkina wryly.
Kassatkina is number 12 in the world tennis rankings, making her the highest-ranked Russian at the moment. The 25-year-old has won four Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) titles in her career so far.
