Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina made a coming out: “It is difficult and does not make sense to live in a closet for a long time”

Tennis player Daria Kasatkina, the first racket of Russia, ranked 12th in the ranking of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), came out. She spoke about her homosexuality in an interview with sports blogger Vita Kravchenko.

I'm a little nervous. It has never been so frankly. So, on camera, it hasn't happened yet. But I’m actually cool,” said Kasatkina.

Living in a closet for a long time is difficult and does not make sense. It will keep spinning in your head until you say it. It is clear that everyone chooses how to open up and how much. You have to live in comfort with yourself, this is the most important thing. The rest shouldn't matter.

The tennis player also admitted that she has a girlfriend, and after the interview was released, she posted a joint photo on Instagram * with figure skater Natalya Zabiyako. Daria Kasatkina and Natalya Zabiyako

Kasatkina commented on the coming out of the footballer Nadezhda Karpova, who became the first professional Russian athlete to speak about her homosexuality.

Beautiful girl. I was happy for her and especially for the girls, for whom it was important to hear this.

Kasatkina also spoke about the attitude towards gays and lesbians in Russia.

There are so many taboo topics in our country. And there are more important topics that are forbidden, so there is nothing to be surprised at. Here is this phrase "want to be gay", if you want - you don't want, you know, you did - you didn't. What is this nonsense. It seems to me that there is nothing easier in the world than being straight. Given a choice, who would choose to be gay? Make life difficult for yourself. Seriously? Especially in Russia.

So, the day before, a bill was submitted to the State Duma, which involves a complete ban on "propaganda of non-traditional relations" and the denial of family values.

Kasatkina's coming out was commented by sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev.

Daria is great! I believe that you can love anyone - only children should not be touched. Let her be happy. Personal life is personal, so that no one sticks their nose into it. I love her as a great tennis player. I don't care who Elton John lives with, as long as he writes great songs, or Thomas Daly, as long as he jumps into the water great. This is their personal business, as well as the personal business of Darya Kasatkina, - she said in an interview with Match TV.

25-year-old Kasatkina has the highest number of points among Russian tennis players, during her career the athlete won four WTA tournaments and seven tournaments of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).