Daria Kasatkina, who was previously cautious about tennis in Saudi Arabia, will play as an alternate at the Riyadh Tour Finals

Daria Kasatkina, who has previously expressed concerns about competing as an openly gay tennis player in Saudi Arabia, will attend the WTA finals in Riyadh on Thursday.

Kasatkina, the world No. 9 from Russia, is taking part in the event as a substitute player and will replace Jessica Pegula of the USA, who had to withdraw from her last round-robin match against Iga Swiatek due to a left knee injury. Pegula, who reached the US Open final this year, had already been eliminated after losing her first two group games to Barbora Krejcikova and Coco Gauff, respectively.

In a press conference at Wimbledon 2023, Kasatkina said that there are “many problems with this country” related to Saudi Arabia. “It’s easier for the men because they feel, let’s say, pretty comfortable there. We don’t think like that,” she added.

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and the WTA has hosted events for more than 20 years in countries such as Qatar and Dubai, where homosexuality is also illegal.

After the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) announced her three-year deal for the event, Kasatkina told BBC Sport in April that she had been given “guarantees that I will be fine.”

“As long as it gives the people there, the young kids and the women, an opportunity to actually see the sport – so they can watch it, play it and participate in it, I think that’s great.”

Kasatkina’s view aligns with LGBTQ+ and tennis icon Billie Jean King, who was influential in the founding of the WTA Tour. She campaigned for the finals to take place in Riyadh, despite the country’s human rights record against women and the criminalization of homosexuality.

“I’m a big advocate of commitment – ​​I don’t think you change if you don’t commit,” King said at a WTA anniversary event in 2023.

However, Martina told Navratilova The athlete Earlier this year he said that “major changes need to happen first before we go there.” I can’t go there and announce that I’m gay. People say, well, just behave. But what does that mean?”

Kasatkina will face Swiatek, who wants to qualify for the semi-finals. To do this she needs a win against the Russian and Gauff has to defeat Krejcikova. Pegula, who said in a news conference on Wednesday that she was “kind of struggling with an injury” that occurred in Riyadh, has also withdrawn from the Billie Jean King Cup finals, which begin on November 13.