Russia-born Diana Shnaider insists she's a patriot, laments poor treatment of Russian athletes

Upcoming tennis star Diana Shnaider has asserted that she was taught to be a patriot while refusing to consider a change of citizenship in the face of increasing animosity towards Russians in the tennis world.

Shnaider stated that while her parents and coaches have tried to convince her that opportunities would increase if she chose to pursue a change in her citizenship, she has shunned the move considering the difficult times that people and athletes in Russia are going through.

In an interview with Russian portal Championat, the 19-year-old also stressed that linking sports with war was wrong as she felt sorry for the athletes from her country who could not compete internationally.

"We often discuss this (change of citizenship) with our players, but I am against it. I told my parents and the coaches who tried to convince me. As a person, who has played for the national team for so many years, I know that I simply cannot do otherwise. I was taught to be a patriot of the country," she said.

Shnaider, the 2022 junior Australian Open and US Open doubles champion, opined that most coaches dislike Russian players. The World No. 95, who made her Grand Slam debut during the 2023 Australian Open, also spoke up for Russian athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete on the big stage on the basis of their nationality.

"The coaches said that I could play for another country and that I would have more opportunities. Because they don't like Russians. They don't give such good contracts as Europeans or Americans," she said.

"Everything that is happening, of course, is horror, but linking sports and this whole situation is wrong," the teenager added "When you look at our athletes who do not compete, you feel sorry for them because they have been doing this job all their childhood."

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Diana Shnaider: Russia is the safest place for me on the whole planet

Shnaider in action in the girls doubles competition at the 2022 Australian Open

Diana Shnaider, who currently lives in the United States, said that she was treated well in America, though she stated that Russia is "the safest place on the planet" for her.

"I really like it here. People do not care where you are from, from Russia or not. They treat you well, everyone helps with some problems in school. In Europe, very often, when everything was just beginning, they asked, 'Is it safe to live in Russia?'. I answered that this is the safest place for me on the whole planet," she said.

The teenager currently attends school in North Carolina and represents the state while playing tennis.

On the court, meanwhile, Shnaider is currently competing at the 2023 Charleston Open, where she defeated Alycia Parks in the opening round before causing a huge upset when she got past fifth seed Veronika Kudermetova. The Moscow-born player will face Paula Badosa in the third round.