World No. 11 Daria Kasatkina claims that if she travels to the Kingdom for the WTA Finals, she can feel completely safe, as confirmed by both the WTA and Saudi Arabia.
The summer of 2022 saw Kasatkina come out as homosexual, and she was adamantly against the notion of playing tennis in the Kingdom when reports began to circulate that the WTA Finals would be held in Saudi Arabia.
The World Tennis Association (WTA) declared earlier this month that they had signed a three-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to hold the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Following the announcement, it became clear that the WTA had first conferred with players to ensure that the messaging was appropriate before formally announcing the contract.
Kasatkina, who was among the most vocal opponents of the WTA awarding Saudi Arabia the right to host the WTA Finals, is now willing to play there as well.”I’ve received assurances that everything will work out,” Kasatkina stated to BBC Sport.
Kasatkina is hoping to make a difference in Saudi Arabia.
A number of elite WTA players have stated in recent months that they hope to use the WTA Finals to inspire positive change in Saudi Arabia.
Kasatkina emphasized, “If I qualify, it means that I am in the top eight in the world—it’s great news for me.”
It’s evident that Saudis are now big fans of the sport and want to see it grow. And I think it’s fine as long as it provides the locals, the women and the young children, the chance to actually experience the sport—so they can watch, play, and participate in it.”
Kasatkina is currently placed eleventh in the competition for a spot in the WTA Finals.
Kasatkina will be competing in the WTA Finals for the second time if she advances that far this year. Kasatkina previously competed in the WTA Finals in 2022, but she lost in the group stage, finishing 1-2.
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