Russia’s Daria Kasatkina supports LTA decision to help Ukrainian players

Daria Kasatkina, the top-ranked women’s tennis player from Russia, has spoken in support of the All England Club and LTA’s decision to help Ukrainian players during the British grass court season.

Following their decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals at this year’s championships, the AELTC and LTA announced last week that they would provide all Ukrainian players with two hotel rooms and access to their exclusive training facilities during the grass court season.

“Most of the players, they cannot go back to their practice bases, they cannot go home,” said Kasatkina.

“So I think it makes a lot of sense to give them the opportunity to practise in London at the All England Club. 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.”

Earlier on Sunday, Kasatkina beat Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at the Madrid Open. Kasatkina said she has no issue with Tsurenko opting not to shake hands with her, as has been the case in the many matches between Ukrainian and Russian players since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kasatkina instead offered a friendly wave towards Tsurenko, which Tsurenko appeared to acknowledge.

“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.”

Kasatkina confirmed that she will play at Wimbledon. She has already signed the AELTC’s and LTA’s declaration, which