Ukrainian tennis star Oleksandra Oliynykova has publicly known as out Aryna Sabalenka, Diana Shnaider and Danill Medvedev for his or her actions amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict. After displaying a fearless message on the Australian Open, the WTA World No.92 held the Belarusian and Russian gamers accountable.
Oliynykova has been one of many quickest rising WTA stars in latest months. The 25-year-old entered the Prime 100 of the ladies’s singles rating for the primary time final 12 months and has been utilizing her platform to advocate for her nation. Most not too long ago, the Ukrainian sported a t-shirt on the Australian Open that learn ‘I want your assist to guard Ukrainian kids and ladies however I can not speak about it right here’. After her debut on the Grand Slam, Oleksandra Oliynykova sat down with L’Equipe for an interview and known as out a number of tennis stars for his or her actions.
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The 25-year-old held World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka accountable for supporting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, saying,
“I am speaking, for instance, concerning the world primary (Aryna Sabalenka). Do you know that she signed the record supporting Lukashenko in 2020? Through the protests in Belarus, when the streets have been coated in blood as a result of those that have been demonstrating, defending democracy, and demanding honest elections have been being repressed and overwhelmed. Properly, she signed it and declared that Lukashenko was her president.”
She went on to debate Diana Shnaider’s assist for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Danill Medvedev’s participation in a controversial exhibition occasion held by Gazprom.
“Diana Shnaider (Russian participant, ranked eleventh on the earth) was honored by Putin. Properly, Diana Shnaider said that she could be delighted to obtain an award from her president. These are her precise phrases, taken from an interview. There are additionally gamers collaborating within the exhibition organized by Gazprom, one of many predominant sponsors of the conflict. (Daniil) Medvedev participated. Many others did too. In the meantime, I used to be waking up with a begin due to the explosions. Do you suppose that is regular? I do not.”
In the identical interview, Oliynykova additionally said that she discovered it ‘unacceptable’ that such ‘harmful’ folks weren’t excluded from the tour as they’re in different sports activities.
Oleksandra Oliynykova loses to Madison Keys in Grand Slam debut
Oleksandra Oliynykova is much from the very best ranked Ukrainian participant on the WTA Tour, however her rise within the rankings in latest months has been fast and plain. The tennis star started the 2025 season ranked 286th on the earth, and ended it within the Prime 100 after profitable titles on the Tolentino Open, Tucumán Open and the WTA 125 Copa LP Chile.
Credit score to this, Oliynykova made her Grand Slam debut on the 2026 Australian open. The 25-year-old took on American Madison Keys for her first-round match and went down 7-6(6), 6-1 in opposition to the defending champion after placing on a good combat.
Edited by Riddhi Acharya
