“I think it makes a lot of sense to do this kind of thing” – Kasatkina supports LTA decision to help Ukrainian players

Russia’s Daria Kasatkina has said she supports the decision of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to help players from Ukraine during the grass swing.

Last month, Wimbledon organizers announced that Russian and Belarusian players would be allowed to compete at the tournament this year after being banned from the 2022 edition. They also announced measures to help Ukrainian players, including providing them with two hotel rooms and access to their exclusive training facilities during the grass swing.

“Most of the players, they cannot go back to their practice bases, they cannot go home. So I think it makes a lot of sense to give them the opportunity to practise in London at the All England Club,” Kasatkina said in Madrid this week. “They cannot go back home, they have to be always on the road and they have to pay all the time for accommodation so I think it makes a lot of sense to do this kind of thing.”

The Russian also added that she was happy that she would be able to play at the All England Club this year. “I was really sad to miss Wimbledon last year – of course for a reason, but it still was painful. I’m happy that we will be able to come back this year and to be honest we are (in) the luckiest sport as we are able to compete still.”

The saddest part is the war still going on – Kasatkina

Kasatkina was defeated at the Madrid Open on Monday by one of her countrywomen, Veronika Kudermetova, in three sets but she had to deal with the absence of a handshake in the previous round from Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko on Sunday.

“Well, the saddest part is the war still going on”, said Kasatkina. “So, of course, players from Ukraine, they’ve got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands. I accept it and it is how it is. It’s a very sad situation and I understand. I was actually happy that she waved me back. I’m already happy with that.”

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