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Although she says she’s not a fan of trash talk, Kasatkina gave her next opponent—and Tennis Channel viewers—a hilarious piece of her mind after her quarterfinal win.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Apr 07, 2023

WATCH: Daria Kasatkina sits down with Tennis Channel for a hilarious post-match chat in Charleston

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“She’s baaaack!” That’s what Daria Kasatkina had to say to Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman about Ons Jabeur’s recent resurgence at the Credit One Charleston Open.

Kasatkina will be looking to turn around her 2-4 record against Jabeur in their career head-to-head—including a 0-2 deficit on clay courts—when they face off in the semifinals on Saturday. But will she resort to a bit of sledging to get inside her opponent’s head? Trash talk has been the topic of the week in Charleston, ever since top seed Jessica Pegula said there should be more of it in tennis.

The No. 3 seed even gave Jabeur a piece of her mind, during her own on-court interview: “Ons, I know that you’re going to make a lot of [drop shots]... and I’m ready for it.”

Daria Kasatkina has a message for Ons Jabeur before they play in Charleston:

“Ons, I know you’re going to make a lot of drop shots… and I am ready for it.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/bTIltxHcfg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 7, 2023

It wasn't exactly the toughest diss, and afterwards, Kasatkina admitted that she would actually rather not see players talking trash at all in an “intelligent” sport like tennis.

“For me, tennis is a bit different. I think it’s not going to work, in my opinion,” she told Weissman. “I know fighters, basketball [players]… especially in the United States, it’s a very popular thing. We are not from United States, so we are not used to it.

"I was always educated that tennis is an intelligent sport, so I will go with that."

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Too easy😏 https://t.co/ohnsRbIvYo
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) April 7, 2023

The No. 3 seed Kasatkina is set to face No. 2 seed Jabeur—last year’s Charleston finalist—in the semifinals, after the Russian toppled 2017 champion Madison Keys 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2. With the victory, she advanced to the last four for of a WTA event for the second time in 2023.

Kasatkina reached her second WTA-level semifinal in Charleston with a three-set victory over Keys.

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“I have not very good memories of our last match [against Jabeur], which was on clay actually in Rome,” Kasatkina recalled. “Losing from match point… I will never forget that inside out shot, touching the line like that on my match point.

“Everyone knows that Ons is great, everyone loves Ons. Of course, on the court we are opponents and everything, but it’s always nice to share these moments—like playing semifinals at big tournaments with each other.”