Kasatkina Thrilled To Be Allowed To Compete in 'Luckiest Sport' As Russian

| by Evita Mueller

Daria Kasatkina is happy that she can still play the sport that she loves and compete on the WTA Tour.

In the times when Russian and Belarusian players are banned from many competitions, tennis players competing at various international events are certainly happy that they are able to participate.

Moreover, in 2023 they will be even allowed to compete at the Wimbledon Championships, and so the highest-ranked Russian on the WTA Tour, Daria Kasatkina, is thrilled to come back to the All England Club as she said in her press conference at the 2023 Madrid Open.

"I was really sad to miss Wimbledon last year - of course for a reason, but it still was painful. I'm happy that we will be able to come back this year and to be honest we are the luckiest sport as we are able to compete still."

WATCH: Ukrainian Tsurenko Refuses To Shake Hands With Russian Kasatkina
WATCH: Ukrainian Tsurenko Refuses To Shake Hands With Russian Kasatkina

"95% of the athletes from Russia could not go outside and compete in the international events, and we really appreciate this opportunity and that we can be on the international stage."

Wimbledon will be helping Ukrainian players throughout the summer with free accommodation, tickets, but also financial aid, and the Russian also spoke about that as she fully supports Wimbledon's decision.

"Most of the players they cannot go back to their practice bases, they can't go home, so I think it makes a lot of sense to give them the opportunity to practice in London. They cannot go back home, they have to be always on the road and they have to pay all the time for accommodation so I think it makes a lot of sense."

Kasatkina's press conference came after the third-round match at the 2023 Madrid Open in which she beat Lesia Tsurenko, and after the match, the Ukrainian refused to shake her hand, so naturally, the Russian spoke also about that.

"The saddest part is the war's still going on, so of course the players from Ukraine they have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands. I accept it, and it is how it is. It's a very sad situation. I was actually happy she waved me back [when leaving the court]."

"One of the best decisions of the last year" - Kasatkina on coming out
"One of the best decisions of the last year" - Kasatkina on coming out

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