Daria Kasatkina makes feelings known on why WTA is ahead of LGBTQ representation than ATP | FirstSportz Exclusive
World No.11 Daria Kasatkina thinks social stereotypes are the reason why some ATP players don't want to come out.
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Daria Kasatkina (Image via X)
Daria Kasatkina came out as gay in 2022. She had told Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko that she was dating a woman. Since then, she’s been at peace with herself because living in a ‘closet’ was impossible for her.
Kasatkina, during the Fantastic Tennis Podcast by FirstSportz, discussed why WTA is far ahead on LGBTQ representation than ATP. The Russian ace thinks it has something to do with the social stereotypes of why some ATP players might be hesitant to come out.
Well, I think it’s more. It’s about the society. I think that our society takes two girls together than two dudes together. So I think that’s the main problem. Because of the stereotypes that the man has to be masculine and this and that, it stops a lot of guys to come out. Especially in the public. You know, like sport or artist, whatever… music, music is more than sports for sure. But I think that’s why.
Daria Kasatkina told Fantastic Tennis Podcast by FirstSportz
So pumped that Queen Kasatkina, @DKasatkina joins us for an amazing chat on our latest episode🎙️We take a deep dive into her past ten years on tour, what’s next for 2025, her fantastic YouTube channel, What The Vlog & we even ask her thoughts on ATP player, 👑Joao Reis Da Silva. https://t.co/ABfapa4nXc
— Fantastic Tennis Podcast (@fantennispod) February 16, 2025
The 27-year-old is in a relationship with Natalia Zabiiako, a Russian-Estonian former pair skater who won a silver medal in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Kasatkina and Zabiiako also have a YouTube channel called ‘What The Vlog’ where they share the behind-the-scenes of their lives. The couple also launched a joint Instagram account in 2023.
Kasatkina is well-known in the tennis community for being very open about controversial topics. She didn’t hesitate to criticize Russia for invading Ukraine and the country’s attitude toward the LGBTQ community.
Daria Kasatkina says playing in tight WTA calendar was easier when she was younger
Daria Kasatkina echoed Iga Swiatek‘s sentiments about the WTA calendar. She said there’s not enough time to recharge her batteries and do the simple things she loves to do with her partner Natalia Zabiiako. Kasatkina turned pro in 2014, and during the first few years on the WTA Tour, everything to her seemed new and it motivated her to keep playing. But now, Kasatkina has learned to program herself to be at home for just three weeks before going on tour again.
Yeah, it was easier when I was younger. And for the first two three years, it was like normal because everything is new, you’re coming to every tournament, you’re just like, ‘Oh my God! It’s dream come true!’ And it still is but we’re going to the same place, we see the same people, we stay in the same hotel.
Daria Kasatkina told Fantastic Tennis Podcast by FirstSportz
Kasatkina then joked that when she got a few days off between tournaments, it actually surprised her because she simply didn’t have a plan, which she absolutely loved. She went to her friend’s apartment, drank tea, and another friend invited her to dinner. Kasatkina admitted that she loves doing simple things, like going to the grocery store with Zabiiako.
Although the 2022 French Open semifinalist talked about the jam-packed WTA schedule in a light-hearted manner, several players have blamed the calendar for injuries and poor performances. Swiatek after succumbing to a 6-3, 6-3 defeat to Mirra Andreeva in the Dubai Open quarterfinals, blamed lack of practice for her defeat. She said not having enough time between tournaments has been hampering her ability to produce consistent performance.
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka too confessed that she ‘struggled health-wise’ in the Middle East Swing because Australian tournaments took a lot of energy out of her. She suffered a shock opening-round exit at the Qatar Open and fell to 2025 ASB Classic champion Clara Tauson in the third round in Dubai.
Kasatkina, on the other hand, recently suffered a first-round exit at the Dubai Championships, losing 6-1, 6-4 to Romanian ace Sorana Cirstea. She is still searching for her first title of the 2025 season after losing in six tournaments without making it to the semifinals.
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