With a pinch of courage, Daria Kasatkina is navigating her athletic career in the stormy seas of Russian-Ukraine chaos. While she and her siblings have relocated overseas, her parents Sergey Kasatkina and Tatyana Kasatkina have decided to remain in Russia. The 27-year-old tennis star recently got emotional while talking about her parents’ situation in Russia and used her platform as an activist to express her worries.

In a conversation with CBS News, the Russian tennis player recently expressed her worry about her parent’s decision to stay back. “I always worry about them, about the people I love, of course. I can have my thoughts, but they are my parents. If I want them to respect my decision, I have to respect their decisions.” However, Kasatkina has repeatedly voiced her disapproval of the war and shown her resistance to it.

Kasatkina has not been able to travel back to Russia since the conflict started in February 2022. She said, “I want to be able to respect myself when I look in the mirror, and if being a good person means I have to sacrifice my home, that’s my choice.” 

This is not the first time she has addressed the ongoing circumstance. Last year, Kasatkina—who is currently a resident of Dubai—acknowledged the predicament of the Ukrainian people, stating that they are in a “way worse situation.” She also acknowledged that she didn’t think the dispute would be resolved right away. At that time, she added, “My family, my parents are still in Russia. As you can see, the last few days it’s been a big mess also there.”

In addition last year, she also emphasized the fact, that Ukraine is the one suffering, making her stand clear in the whole war scenario. She said, “Obviously Ukrainians, they are experiencing a way worse situation but also I can feel the same. I’m very worried for the people I love.”

As the crisis worsens, players like Daria Kasatkina are forced to choose between being loyal to their country and facing the harsh reality of the situation. Still, Kasatkina shines through the shadows like a ray of optimism. She said, “But I will always believe there’s a chance for a better life,” expressing what many people who want peace and stability in Russia and other places want to hear.

Not only that, whether it be the Russian-Ukraine situation, or standing tall for gay rights, the 27-year-old tennis player has always shown off her activist side off the court. Even though she is against the war from the very beginning, the war-like situations have not degraded her love for her country. Recently, even though she has been quite open about her disapproval of the war, just like any athlete, she also shares an undefined love for her country.

Is Daria Kasatkina’s relationship with Russia complicated? 

In the same conversation with the CBSE about how she has not been welcomed in her own country for more than 2 years now, but that doesn’t affect her love for her country. She said, “Well, not exactly with Russia. I love my country. So, before the war started, I spent so good quality time there. I really was enjoying coming back there, spending time with my family, friends. I felt there, like, a fish in the water.” 

Even Eighth State Duma member Roman Teryushkov labeled Kasatkina as a ‘foreign agent’ because of her idea of harmony rather than supporting her country in the war zone and her announcement of her sexual orientation. Teryushkov said that he has petitioned Russia’s Ministry of Justice to identify Kasatkina as a foreign agent, depriving her of several privileges in her native country.

However, the 13th-seeded player’s statements go beyond political lines, embracing the global goals of peace and understanding. What do you think about her worries? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.