Former Russian tennis player, Daria Kasatkina, recently changed her allegiance to Australia after getting out gay. She also spoke against the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
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The Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk broke his tradition as he shaken his hand with Daria Kasatkina after defeating 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Italy Open. Kostyuk had refused to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players since the invasion by Russia in her country. But she shakes Kasatkina’s hand after the latter recently changed her allegiance.
Kostyuk rents Kasatkina for having spoken against Russia
Kasatkina, ranked 15th in the world, has changed its allegiance to Russia in Australia and has not returned to Russia for more than two years after being released as a gay and being one of the few players to have publicly published the war.
Kostyuk said that she respected Kasatkina’s decision to denounce the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by Moscow.
“Since the start of the war, I have chosen not to shake the hand of Russian or Belarusian players … But when someone says not only the truth … calling Russia the aggressor – but also acts on it, that deserves respect,” Kostyuk wrote on Instagram.
“Daria Kasatkina clearly spoke out against the war and made the decision to renounce his Russian sports citizenship. It takes courage – and I recognize it. I hope this is not the last step, but part of a deeper commitment.
“I am standing with Ukraine. I defend the truth, dignity, and for those who choose to speak and act – when staying silent would be easier. ”
With agency entries