"Honestly they're icons, for sure": Martina Navratilova lauded by Daria Kasatkina in backing her for coming out, calls for acceptance in the world
WTA
Russia’s tennis star Daria Kasatkina has heaped praise on the
former world number one Martina Navratilova for supporting her sexual
orientation.
The former world number eight became one of the most
high-profile players to come out in public and admit that she is dating a woman.
That move received mixed reactions from different quarters of the tennis
community.
One of the big-name players who came out in support of Kasatkina
was Navratilova who also praised the youngster for having a principled point of
view regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The 26-year-old was recently quoted in a report where she
heaped praise on the former world number one for standing by her in testing times.
"Honestly, they’re icons. For sure. There’s so much
respect. And the way they are, it’s just amazing," she said. "Yeah, exactly [the stage is living your
truth no matter who you are]. I mean, we’re all the same. We’re people.
“The worst thing we can do is to hate each other. So, and
now in the world full of hate, I think it’s very important to accept each other
the way we are, and love each other. I think this thing can change the world,
finally.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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