Daria Kasatkina Given Guarantees About Safety in Saudi Arabia for WTA Finals, Says Russian Tennis Player

Daria Kasatkina, the world number 11 tennis player, has made headlines by announcing her intention to travel to Saudi Arabia in November to compete in the WTA Finals if she qualifies. This decision comes after receiving “guarantees” about her safety in the Middle Eastern country, despite being one of the few openly gay players on the WTA Tour.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Kasatkina expressed her confidence in the assurances she has been given regarding her safety as a gay athlete in Saudi Arabia. This news comes as a surprise to many, as Kasatkina had previously voiced concerns about the country’s human rights record and laws regarding homosexuality.

The WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh for the first time this November, and Kasatkina is in contention to qualify for the prestigious event. She spoke about the potential benefits of bringing the tournament to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the country’s growing interest in sports and the opportunities it could provide for the local community.

Despite the fact that homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia under Sharia law, the president of the Saudi Tennis Federation, Arij Almutabagani, has stated that gay players would not need to act any differently than they do in other Middle Eastern countries where WTA tournaments are already held.

Kasatkina’s decision to potentially compete in Saudi Arabia has sparked a debate about the intersection of sports and human rights. As the tennis world awaits the final decision on her qualification for the WTA Finals, all eyes will be on Kasatkina and how her participation in the event could impact the conversation surrounding LGBTQ rights in the region.