Naomi Osaka hails Daria Kasatkina for coming out as gay in 'dangerous situation'

Naomi Osaka has praised fellow tennis star Daria Kasatkina for coming out as gay.

Kasatkina, Russia’s highest-ranked female tennis player, came out in a video interview with Vitya Kravchenko last month.

She told Kravchenko she was in a relationship with a woman, figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, and found “living in the closet” impossible.

The world number 12 also spoke out against attitudes towards homosexuality and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.

Kasatkina, who is currently competing at the Silicon Valley Classic in California, told WTA Insider that she was overwhelmed by the positive response.

“I don’t know how the social media filter works, but I’ve just heard very good things,” she said. “Not just from the west but also people from my country.

“I’m really happy about it. As I saw, it was not just a good thing for me, also it helped other people.

“That’s great and I feel great. I feel happy about it and about myself and that’s most important.”

My cutie pie @NataliaZabiiako pic.twitter.com/Jao9iRiOGq

The 25-year-old Kasatkina has also been praised by her fellow tennis players, including Coco Gauff and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

“I thought it was really amazing how she’s doing that,” Osaka said. “I do think we have to rally to support her because it is a bit of a dangerous situation.

“But I think in all of that it’s really incredible that she’s coming out and she’s standing for what she believes in. I’m always in support of that.”

Gauff added: “I think in tennis, at least with the girls around, we’re all very supportive of each other no matter the background or identity. I don’t think there’s any judgement when it comes to that.

“I’m grateful that she felt comfortable enough sharing that part of