Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova has voiced strong criticism against Russian players on the professional tennis tour, accusing them of supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her comments came after her third-round exit at the French Open, where she was defeated by Russia’s Diana Shnaider.
Oliynykova’s Concerns
Oliynykova has been vocal about the ongoing conflict in her homeland and has expressed disapproval of Russian players participating in international tournaments. She claims that some of these players have been involved in events sponsored by Russian companies linked to the war effort and have promoted pro-Russian positions on social media.
During a press conference, Oliynykova stated, “The Russian players, let’s be real, they don’t want to communicate. They have these horrible beliefs. For me this is something what I think we need to stop to accept in the professional sports.” She further emphasized the need for a mechanism within the tennis tour to address such issues, stating that remaining silent is not an option for her.
Neutral Participation
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to compete as neutral athletes, without their national flags, in various sports, including tennis and the Olympics. Despite this, Oliynykova believes that the silence on the tour regarding the war is dangerous and contrary to the unifying mission of sports.
Responses from Russian Players
When asked about Oliynykova’s comments, Diana Shnaider mentioned she was unaware of the specific criticisms and stated that her participation in exhibition tournaments in Russia was a means to visit her family. Shnaider declined to comment on the war in Ukraine, focusing instead on her performance at the French Open.
Oliynykova concluded her remarks by highlighting the humanitarian aspect of her actions, saying, “When people are being killed, while children are dying, when violence is justified or celebrated… we cannot protect those who support or excuse such actions.”
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
