Daria Kasatkina: “I want to help those who suffer”

Daria Kasatkina responded to Roman Teryshkov, a deputy in the Duma, Russia’s parliament, who asked the justice minister to declare her a foreign agent, following her actions.

What actions? Proving to the world that she distanced herself from Russian society. A bit like Karen Khachanov and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the first Russian number one in history. Teryushkov explained that a first request was rejected and insisted on sending another requesting that appropriate measures be taken.

Daria said: “I had either a dream. Or at least a goal. Get involved in charitable works, help those who are now suffering and ask for help. I want to develop sport in my country, create the right conditions for it to be accessible, ensure that parents do not have to wonder where to borrow money or which city to move to to allow their children to play the sport they love.”

There is currently no news from the Russian government. In short: Kasatkina currently lives in Barcelona and a few months ago he confessed in a video interview of her homose*uality and her relationship with the Canadian figure skater of Estonian origin Natalia Zabiiako.

Daria Kasatkina: “I want to help those who suffer”

In one of the most touching scenes of the long interview with blogger Vitya Kravchenko, the Russian tennis player, who has experienced a parallel up-and-down season on the court, had a hard time hiding her concern and tears when asked if she now fears she will never be able to return in Russia.

This is because the Russian government in 2013 approved a law that prohibits gay propaganda and for this reason it prohibits all forms of LGBTQ+ pride marches, and above all provides for the detention of activists in defense of homose*ual rights.

What would happen if you were declared a foreign agent? Kasatkina could not work with children or teach in schools, hold municipal or state offices or even organize public events. On top of that, she could not even invest in Russian companies or enjoy tax breaks.

“It’s not good news. I hope Daria is well and that she can travel where and how she wants,” wrote Martina Navratilova on Twitter, who had also paid the financial consequences in 1981 for declaring her homose*uality.