Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has responded to a Ukrainian player suggesting that she should be banned from tennis due to Belarus’ support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova, who was beaten in the tournament’s first round by reigning champion Madison Keys, explained how she felt it was “very wrong” that Russian and Belarusian athletes were not “disqualified” from tennis, as competitors who compete in other sports have been.
In March of 2022, Russia launched an illegal invasion of Ukraine, with the conflict now nearing its fourth year.
Following the invasion, Russian and Belarusian sports teams and individuals were banned from competing in various events, with FIFA and UEFA prohibiting the Russian national football team and club teams’ participation in international competitions - such as the Champions League, Euros, and World Cup - sanctioned by the bodies.
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Meanwhile, Belarusian and Russian players were banned from that year’s Wimbledon tournament, but the ban was lifted in 2023, with players from those countries allowed to compete under the neutral flag.
Russia is still banned from hosting WTA and ATP tournaments.
It must be noted that Sabalenka has never stated her support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine or the Belarusian President, Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Still, Oliynykova believes players should “speak up” against those in power while claiming that Sabalenka, and two Russian players - 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Diana Shnaide – have engaged with or praised state-sponsored activities of their countries’ leaders as per The Athletic.
“I think it’s very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports,” Oliynykova told 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.
“And this is, you know, the people with money and power, and they are using this to support aggression against my country.
“They are the reason the people like this who have the power to speak up against they are not doing this.”
The Ukrainian is currently the only player actively training in Ukraine and refuses to move away from the nation, despite saying she was woken up at 3am the day before the Australian Open due to a drone attack shaking her apartment.
Sabalenka has since responded to Oliynykova’s claims but refused to get drawn into talk of politics following her victory over China’s Zhuoxuan Bai.
“I have spoken a lot about that before, obviously. I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that,” she said. “Other than that, I have nothing else to say.
“I’m here for tennis. It’s a tennis event. I have said enough in the past and just don’t want to talk about politics here.”
Topics: Australian Open, Ukraine, Russia, Tennis
Luke Davies