Russia’s Daria Kasatkina’s administration say a flag error might have “robust implications” for the participant after she was wrongly listed as representing Spain at a WTA Tour draw ceremony – resulting in recommendations she had switched allegiance.
BBC Sport has been advised Kasatkina, who has criticised Russia’s LGBT guidelines and opposed the conflict in Ukraine, has not switched allegiance.
The looks of the Spanish flag subsequent to the world quantity 11’s identify in the course of the Abu Dhabi Open draw attracted consideration, sparking on-line dialogue that she had determined to cease representing Russia.
“It’s incorrect and we will categorically deny she is switching to Spain,” Kasatkina’s administration advised BBC Sport.
Afterward Sunday, event organisers apologised to 27-year-old Kasatkina for the error.
“This was a wholly administrative mistake and has now been corrected,” they mentioned.
Kasatkina, who’s one of some brazenly homosexual gamers on the WTA Tour, publicly got here out in a video interview, exterior with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko in July 2022.
In the identical video, the 2022 French Open semi-finalist known as for an finish to Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. She described the conflict as “a whole nightmare”.
Kasatkina’s administration mentioned it had been “troublesome” for the participant since brazenly discussing her sexuality and opposition to the conflict.
Kasatkina, who lives in Dubai and typically trains in Spain, has not been to Russia previously two and a half years.
Her administration mentioned the Abu Dhabi error was “probably fairly dangerous” to her.
They added: “This carries some robust implications for Daria if the Russian authorities really feel she is making an attempt to modify – which she isn’t.”
In 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court docket dominated the “worldwide LGBT motion” was an “extremist organisation”.
Human rights activists mentioned, exterior the ruling “jeopardised” LGBT rights and elevated the chance of activists being prosecuted.
Within the aftermath of Kasatkina’s risk-taking interview, one Russian politician unsuccessfully known as for her to be listed as a ‘overseas agent’ – somebody deemed by the Russian authorities to be performing towards the nation’s pursuits.
Final yr, Kasatkina advised ESPN, exterior she was anticipating “penalties” following her actions.
