On her 28th birthday, Daria Kasatkina proposed to her girlfriend, Natalia Zabiiako, while kneeling next to a plain plastic bag full of gifts. She didn’t wear a diamond ring. It wasn’t even bought. Daria Saville, a fellow tennis player, had given her a small piece of metal earlier that day. The moment was genuine, unplanned, and subtly impactful, and it was remarkably successful in its emotional resonance.
Kasatkina has transformed from a budding WTA star to a representation of subdued resistance and elegant visibility in recent years. Since she came out in a YouTube interview in 2022, her relationship with Olympic bronze medallist Zabiiako has been widely known. The purpose of that interview was not to make headlines. Instead, it was a very explicit statement of authenticity—given at a time when being honest had actual repercussions for a Russian citizen.
Daria Kasatkina & Natalia Zabiiako
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Daria Kasatkina |
| Birthdate | May 7, 1997 |
| Age | 28 |
| Nationality | Russian, Australian resident |
| Profession | Professional Tennis Player |
| Career-High Rank | No. 8 (WTA Singles) |
| Titles | 8 Singles, 1 Doubles |
| Partner | Natalia Zabiiako |
| Partner’s Profession | Olympic Figure Skater |
| Engagement Date | May 2025 |
| Engagement Ring | Gifted by Daria Saville, later upgraded |
| Wedding Plan | Private beach wedding in future |
The couple has established a life of unexpected transparency during their time together. They have provided snippets of travel, training, off-season life, and intimate moments through their joint YouTube channel, What The Vlog. Neither branding nor extensive editing are present. Their compatibility—casual, humorous, and sometimes unfiltered—makes them remarkably similar to the couples that viewers are familiar with. This commonplace familiarity is what attracts and retains fans.
The dynamic between the couple had changed considerably by the middle of 2025. Having competed under the Russian flag before, Kasatkina formally asked to represent Australia. The reason was obvious. She was at last able to breathe by deciding on a country where her identity wouldn’t draw attention or danger. Despite its complexity, this move proved to be very effective for both personal peace and career protection. Australian tennis fans have welcomed her since the change, and her performance and mental well-being have benefited greatly from this warmth.
In this collaboration, Natalia Zabiiako has contributed her own quiet strength. She is renowned for her technical prowess and podium results in pairs skating, and she shares Kasatkina’s knack for modest tenacity. Her support has been evidently unwavering, even though she is more reserved in public, particularly during politically challenging times. Their common ideals—dignity, integrity, and compassion—have gained prominence over time, surpassing their individual sporting achievements.
As pure as their personalities were, so was the proposal itself. Before asking, Kasatkina knelt down and extended the borrowed ring. “Are you joking?” was Zabiiako’s delightfully human response. Disbelief, tears, and laughter were all part of the moment. Later, they went to a store and worked together to choose a suitable ring. Their choice to begin with what they had and then improve it later was similar to how they have handled their relationship as a whole.
The couple has created an environment that feels incredibly safe through calculated personal decisions and silent acts of defiance. They haven’t aimed to become symbols, but by simply living freely, they have become so in an era when LGBTQ+ rights are under growing pressure in many places. They are not performatively visible. It’s true. Additionally, it’s incredibly touching for young athletes who lack the confidence to be authentic.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Kasatkina’s journey. Her choices—publicly coming out, leaving her homeland, and flying a different flag—are more than just professional ones given Russia’s position on LGBTQ+ identity and the current geopolitical tension. They are statements. Even when the stakes are high, each decision demonstrates a dedication to living authentically in a way that is remarkably effective in its subtle boldness.
They announced their engagement on Instagram, and since then, the public has been very supportive. The proposal was dubbed “the best use of a party favor ever” by Daria Saville, who pointedly reminded everyone that she had given them the original ring. LGBTQ+ organizations, sports media, and fans have emphasized the moment as culturally significant and sweet. It was a significant event rather than merely another sports romance.
The couple intends to tie the knot by the sea in the upcoming year. They see a laid-back get-together with family and close friends. No cameras. No stage. Just a lovely moment to cement a relationship that has already shown itself to be solid. For two people who have never relied on spectacle to be seen, the scene—a serene beach with loved ones nearby—feels perfectly fitting.
Not because of what they have accomplished, but rather because of how they have accomplished it, their story feels especially innovative. They have presented an alternative model of success, one that prioritizes emotion over logic and integrity over image. Sports fans’ discussions of personal identity have significantly improved as a result, becoming less sensational and more candid.