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‘F**k off Already’ – Despite Her Thriving Tennis Career, Russian WTA Star Daria Kasatkina Lashes Out at the Sport to Deliver a Damning Verdict

Published 10/17/2023, 5:33 AM EDT

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via Reuters

In just three weeks in Asia, Daria Kasatkina, Russia’s tennis wizard, grappled not just with competitors but with an opponent less apparent: the severe logistics of tennis. While her on-court brightness was clear, off-court stories of denied airport pickups and continuous repacking arose. Is the world of tennis more challenging behind the shades than on the court? As Kasatkina labels tennis the ‘worst sport’ for all-time logistics, one wonders: is the shine of the game blurred by its background challenges?

In her 2023 Asian tour, Daria Kasatkina, the Russian tennis sensation, swung between shocking extreme and failures. From her aggressive start in Tokyo to surprising challenges in China, her journey was as unreliable as the game itself. While tennis enthusiasts supported her on-court courage, did they grasp the continuous toll of her profession? Further the rackets and rallies, does a tale of absolute resilience spread? 

Daria Kasatkina claims tennis is the worst sport among extensive travel challenges

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Kasatkina is a professional tennis player from Russia. Her latest contest was in the 2023 Zhengzhou Open semifinals in China. Before that, she played in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and the China Open. This way, the Russian star had to play tennis continuously for three weeks straight. After the hectic Asian tour, she discussed the troubles she confronted.

The event organizers’ policies denied Kasatkina pickup at a specific airport, leaving her and her crew unsure for 40 minutes as they tried to arrive earlier than scheduled for her China Open match. She said, “I arrived at  & they meet only from one airport. So I played in Tokyo last night & it was impossible to fly in the evening. So I need to fly the next day. I need to arrive earlier. By tomorrow I have to play. Honestly, I’m exhausted,” she admitted.

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Kasatkina experienced physical and sensitive tiredness due to continual travel and shift. She said, “The game of tennis itself is the simplest thing we do. Everything else is just completely bull***t. I can’t travel anymore. When you can’t communicate with people from different countries, constantly changing beds, constantly packing & unpacking bags every week, I just can’t do it anymore.”

Kasatkina, too, expressed her disappointment with the sport of tennis, claiming that her physique has deteriorated and that it is the ‘worst sport’ in agreements of logistics. She revealed, My body is just telling me to f*ck off already. For the 3rd time in a month & a half, I have a sore throat & my condition is incomprehensible. In terms of life logistics, there is no worse sport in the whole world. It’s just complete bullsh*t.”

Daria Kasatkina started her 2023 Asian swing campaign at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, beating inactive Marta Kostyuk and Despina Papamichail.

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Daria Kasatkina’s 2023 Asian swing: triumphs, troubles, and a quarterfinal barrier

At the Toray Pan Pacific Open, Daria Kasatkina began her 2023 Asian swing campaign. The current world No.6 beat opponents Marta Kostyuk and Despina Papamichail on her way to the quarterfinals. The Russian’s run stopped in the round of eight when she met No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula, losing in straight sets.

via Reuters

Daria Kasatkina’s 2023 Asian swing reveals her ability and flexibility, both on and off the court. While her performances showcased her ability, her honest visions told the abusive logistical existence of professional tennis. The real challenge now: Will the tennis world address these concerns to better support stars? Kasatkina’s disclosures highlight that tennis is more than just a game; it’s a challenging lifestyle.

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Written by:

Akshata Aditya Rajmane

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Akshata Aditya Rajmane is a tennis writer at EssentiallySports. Right from her early childhood, Akshata has been a sports enthusiast, following a variety of sports, including badminton, tennis, and soccer. Although she is an ardent fan of the "Big Three", at ES, she is focused on covering the off-court activities of the biggest ATP and WTA stars.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas