Organizer’s Failure During Live Draw: Russian Tennis Player’s Nationality Changed

ABU DHABI – Organizers of the tennis tournament in Abu Dhabi have apologized to Daria Kasatkina for mistakenly listing the Russian player as representing Spain during Sunday’s draw.

The administrative error sparked speculation that the 27-year-old from Togliatti had changed her nationality, a claim that her team categorically denied. The apology was posted by the organizers on their social media.

“We sincerely apologize for the mistake made during the live draw by one of our suppliers, when the wrong nationality was listed next to Daria Kasatkina’s name. It was an administrative error which we have corrected,” wrote the organizers.

Kasatkina, ranked 11th in the world, has been competing under a neutral flag since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, along with its ally Belarus. She has previously spoken out against the war and, over two years ago, revealed her sexual orientation, announcing that she is in a relationship with a woman. She lives in Dubai and trains in Spain.

“This is incorrect information, and we can categorically deny that she is changing her nationality. If Russian authorities believed she was attempting to change her citizenship, it would have serious consequences for Daria. But that is not the case,” said Kasatkina’s team to the BBC.