"My birthday queen" - Daria Kasatkina sends her love to girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako as she celebrates her special day in style
Daria Kasatkina wished her girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako with a heartwarming message on the latter's birthday on August 15. The Russian tennis star and her girlfriend were in Cincinnati, where Kasatkina was competing in the WTA 1000 event on Zabiiako's birthday.
Zabiiako, a Russian-Estonian figure skater born on August 15, 1994, was celebrating her 30th birthday and her girlfriend Kasatkina took to Instagram to share a short birthday message.
Kasatkina posted a picture of Zabiiako with star and unicorn-shaped ballons around her with the message:
"My birthday queen... Love you"
However, Kasatkina faced disappointment on her girlfriend's birthday as she was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open. The ninth-seed defeated compatriot Ekaterina Alexandrova in a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 win in the first round.
On August 15, she took on Taylor Townsend, who won the match 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 to advance into the third round. Meanwhile, the World No. 12 will continue training for the upcoming US Open.
Daria Kasatkina came out as gay in 2022 and revealed her relationship with Natalia Zabiiako
Daria Kasatkina came out as gay in 2022 while also condemning her country's war against Ukraine. However, she was 'thankful' that coming out as gay prompted positive responses from her colleagues.
“That was great because I didn’t face any negativity, especially from the people I know,” Daria Kasatkina told The Guardian last year.
“This topic is very sensitive, so I was ready for some negative reaction, but there was nothing like that. I’m very thankful because that makes me feel so good. Some of the players were coming to me, sometimes they’re still coming to me, to say ‘yeah, it’s cool’ or ‘congrats’ to me. That’s nice.”
She also said that opening up about what she feels is right and wrong has been the best decision. She was happy with the support she received.
“I remember after saying all these things, I just felt much better. That was one of the best decisions of the last year and I’m happy with the outcome. And thanks to the people who were next to me supporting me,” she said.
Since she made her relationship public, Kasatkina and Zabiiako have actively posted each other on social media. Most recently, the pair posted a video where they danced to Russian singer Zivert's song.
"A little bit of shuffling, improvisation and dancing," read a translated version of the video's caption.
Zabiiako and Kasatkina also shared an embrace earlier in the year when the Russian tennis player won her maiden grasscourt title at the 2024 Eastbourne International.