Coming Out As Lesbian, Russia's Top Female Tennis Player Denounces Vladimir Putin's Policies

Daria Kasatkina (Instagram @kasatkina)

JAKARTA - Russia's top female tennis player has publicly admitted to being a lesbian and criticized President Vladimir Putin's policies on LGBTQ rights.

Daria Kasatkina is currently ranked 12th in the world and reached the semifinals of the French Open earlier this year. However, she criticized his country's stance on homosexuality.

She claimed to be a lesbian and confirmed he was dating a woman in a YouTube interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko.

After revealing herself to be bisexual last year, Kasatkina has now confirmed that she is dating Estonian-born figure skating Natalia Zabiiako and shared their photos on Instagram.

When asked in the interview if she has a boyfriend, Kasatkina answered "yes" before getting emotional when Kravchenko asked: "Aren't you afraid you can't go back to Russia?"

Kasatkina replied, via the Daily Mail: "Yeah, I've thought about it," before appearing to cry as she leaned against his shoulder. Current Russian law restricts discussion of LGBTQ relationships.

They cannot be talked about in front of minors if they are considered as “promoting non-traditional sexual relations”. A new proposal that would completely ban the positive or neutral "promotion" of LGBTQ relationships has been put forward.

"There are many subjects even more important than that that are banned, so it's not surprising," Kasatkina said of the proposal.

"Living in the closet as they say is pointless. Until you choose to leave. Of course it's up to you how to do it and how much to tell. Living at peace with yourself is the only thing that matters."

She also alluded to the plight of Russian footballer Nadya Karpova, who spoke publicly about her sexuality earlier this month.

"Yours faithfully. I'm happy for him, but also other people, especially girls need to know that. Important for young people who have difficulty with society and need support. I believe it's important that influential people from sports, and other fields talk about it. This is very helpful.”

Kasatkina currently lives in Dubai and trains with Spain coach Carlos Martinez Comet. She missed Wimbledon after Russian players were banned due to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Her partner, Zabiiako, has also represented Russia in the past, winning a silver medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, she is now skating under the Canadian flag.