Russia’s Daria Kasatkina says she has ‘no time for bulls**t’ after staging a fierce comeback to win the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose.
Kasatkina won 12 out of the last 15 games played to beat Shelby Rogers 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2, to claim her first title of the season and fifth overall. During the match, she dropped only four points behind her first serve in the last two sets. The triumph caps off what has been an impressive week for the Russian who has also beaten Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa.
“It’s a tough journey, which is still going on. I’m happy with the way things are going, especially this season, but I don’t want to stop, because I did this mistake already one time and I don’t want to repeat it,” Kasatkina said afterwards. “I’m still hungry for the wins.”
San Jose was the first tournament the 25-year-old has played since opening up about her personal life. During an interview with vlogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina came out as gay and revealed that she is in a relationship with former ice skater Natalia Zabiiako. Zabiiako was also present at the tournament cheering Kasatkina on from the sidelines. During the same interview, she also spoke out against the Russian war in Ukraine.
Kasatkina’s decision to speak out about two sensitive topics prompted a big reaction both in her native Russia and elsewhere. The country currently has a ‘gay propaganda’ law which prohibits the promotion of ‘non-traditional’ relationships to minors. Furthermore, it is an offence in the country to label the conflict in Ukraine as a war, instead, officials refer to it as a ‘special operation.’
“For sure there was a negative part and positive part,” Kasatkina said of the reaction to her interview,“ and I was able to focus just on the positive parts and get the energy. I was just focused on playing tennis this week. I don’t have much time for bulls—t, like the internet, the comments and everything. You have to think of the job first. You have to be focused on what is the most important and the other things that happen after.”
Kasatkina said she has received support from her fellow peers on the Tour, including runner-up Rogers who was playing in her first Tour final for six years.
“It’s really brave of her and a lot of people are really proud of her,” Rogers said. “She always has a smile on her face and is just a joy to be around. So, she’s handling it really well. She’s a strong girl.”
As a result of her triumph in San Jose, Kasatkina has re-entered the world’s top 10 this week in ninth position.
