'Money Is Not No. 1 Priority': Kasatkina Hits Back At Kyrgios Saudi Arabia Claims

| by Zlatko Vodenicharov

Daria Kasatkina has hit back at Nick Kyrgios who celebrated the news of Saudi Arabia exploring tennis investments which in theory should increase earnings.

News about Saudi Arabia exploring investments in tennis recently surfaced with Nick Kyrgios celebrating the news emphatically on social media. The Australian's post hinted at the money those events were likely to award which is one of the things he cares about when playing tennis.

He's defending himself over playing in Saudi Arabia before explaining that he does it for the paycheck and that's it. Fair play, but there are some players who don't really care about money. It's a very small number of players but Kasatkina counts herself among those speaking on the topic in her post-match press conference at the 2023 Wimbledon.

It's in the hands of the bigger people, unfortunately. So as I said, unfortunately now in the world money talks and take very big part. Also, as Nick Kyrgios said, he would be so happy to go there just for a big check. For me, money is not No. 1, No. 1 priority in this case, for sure.

Kasatkina on money in tennis
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Kasatkina is not the only player to think that way but there haven't been many who shared her opinion. Carlos Alcaraz showed no objection to playing in the country and neither did WTA number one Iga Swiatek. Ultimately the WTA will decide and CEO Steve Simon denied any talks taking place right now. He described the idea as complicated.

Well, yes, a tough condition. Many issues concerning this country. Honestly, tough to talk about. Of course it's easier -- and also they are talking with ATP. It's easier for the men because they feel pretty good there, let's say. We don't feel the same way.

Things are even tougher for Kasatkina as an openly gay player though she's not the only one. Van Uytvanck, Minnen, and Podoroska are other ones and none of them would probably be comfortable playing in a country where people like that are legally processed with punishments ranging from death, life imprisonment, flogging or deportation. But as Kasatkina says, money talks.

So it's going to be, let's say, money talks in our world right now. For me, I don't think that everything is about the money. Unfortunately not everything is dependent just on us, and particularly me, for example.

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