Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has shared the first public photos with her girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako. During a conversation with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina came out as gay. Shortly after the announcement, Kasatkina took to Instagram and Twitter to share the first photos with her girlfriend Zabiiako.
Zabiiako is also a pro athlete as she is a figure skater.
My cutie pie @NataliaZabiiako pic.twitter.com/Jao9iRiOGq — Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) July 18, 2022
Kasatkina comes out as gay
During her conversation with Kravchenko, Kasatkina applauded Russian footballer Nadya Karpova for openly speaking about her orientation and making it easier for her to come out.
“My respects to Nadya Karpova [for coming out], attagirl. I was happy for her, but also other people, especially girls who needed to know that. It has empowered them for sure, supported them,” Kasatkina said. “Not only did Nadya help herself by coming out and get this burden off her chest, she has also helped others.”
Kravchenko asked Kasatkina directly if she was in a relationship with a girl, to which Kasatkina said yes. “Yes, [I currently have a girlfriend],” Kasatkina admitted. Russia isn’t really a country that is very welcome to the LGBT population.
Being gay in Russia isn’t easy but Kasatkina found the strength and courage to come out. “Living in the closet is impossible. Not for the long run, no. It is too hard. It is pointless, you will be completely focused on that until you choose to come out.
Of course, it is up to you to decide how to do it and how much you tell,” Kasatkina said. “Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters, and f— everyone else.” The Kasatkina news was pretty well received among the tennis community as tennis fans and even fellow players applauded the Russian for coming out.
Meanwhile, Kasatkina competed at this week’s WTA event in Hamburg, where she was beaten in the first round by Katerina Siniakova.
