Ukrainian Tennis Star's Powerful Protest at Australian Open
Despite a first-round exit at the Australian Open, Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova made a profound political statement that resonated far beyond the courts of Melbourne Park. The 25-year-old, competing in her Grand Slam debut, was defeated by ninth seed Madison Keys but used the platform to call for the banning of Russian and Belarusian players from professional tennis.
A Silent Message with a Loud Impact
Following her loss on Tuesday night, Oliynykova wore a T-shirt bearing the poignant words: 'I need your help to protect Ukrainian children and women, but I can't talk about it here'. This visual protest preceded her vocal criticism of the continued participation of athletes from nations involved in the war against her homeland.
The world number 92 expressed her firm belief that the presence of these players in tournaments is 'very wrong' given the ongoing conflict. She specifically highlighted world number one Aryna Sabalenka, despite the Belarusian player's previous statements distancing herself from the Russian invasion and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The Case Against Neutral Participation
'I think it's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports,' Oliynykova told The Age. 'Because I know that here is the picture that we are, like all tennis girls playing, but the people don't see the things behind it.'
She elaborated on her concerns about the influence wielded by certain players: 'And this is, you know, the people with money and power, and they are using this to support aggression against my country.' Oliynykova pointed to Sabalenka's 2020 letter supporting Lukashenko as evidence of problematic allegiances, though Sabalenka has since stated she doesn't support the war or 'Lukashenko right now'.
Personal Motivations and Wartime Realities
The Ukrainian athlete's stance is deeply personal. Born and raised in Kyiv, Oliynykova revealed her father is a soldier fighting for Ukraine's defence. She is actively working to support him financially, aiming to purchase drones for military use. 'I'm so proud of him and that's something that's keeping me motivated even more,' she shared, noting her ranking has improved over 200 places since he joined the military.
Her connection to the war's violence became terrifyingly immediate just before her departure for Australia. The night before her flight, a drone attack struck her neighbour's apartment, causing her own building to shake. 'These players are one of the reasons why my apartment was shaking before I came here,' she asserted during an interview on Ben Rothenberg's Bounces podcast.
Tournament Regulations and International Support
While Grand Slam guidelines typically bar political statements at competition venues, a Tennis Australia official confirmed there were no specific rules prohibiting Oliynykova's actions. Her protest garnered significant support from diplomatic quarters, with the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia and New Zealand posting on X: 'Many thanks to Oleksandra Oliynykova for using her voice at AO to make an important statement. Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to compete in reputable international competitions while Russia continues to kill Ukrainians.'
Oliynykova maintains a firm personal boundary, refusing to speak to Russian or Belarusian players in locker rooms. Her father watched her match against Keys from Ukraine, sending a message afterwards that she was 'amazing' – a moment that nearly brought her to tears. Tennis Australia has been approached for further comment on the situation.
