Oleksandra Oliynykova gave an impassioned plea for tennis to stand up against the “evil” war in Ukraine after losing to Russia’s Diana Shnaider in the third round of the French Open.
Before Oliynykova answered any questions at her post-match news conference, after losing to Shnaider 7-5 6-1, she read out a statement. This was two days after she made critical comments about Shnaider.
“I know that some people disagree with my actions,” she said. “I know that some people would prefer that I stay silent. But what I do is not about politics, it’s about humanity.
“When people are being killed, while children are dying, when violence is justified or celebrated, we cannot pretend that nothing is happening.
“We cannot look away. We cannot protect those who support or excuse such actions. Our organisation was not built by pioneers like Billie Jean King so that money and luxury could become the only values in women’s tennis.
“Being a role model is not about the size of your bank account. It’s not about expensive watches, private jets, or luxury brands.
“A real role model has the courage to stand against evil. A real role model speaks when it’s easier to stay silent. A real role model has the determination to act when action is needed.
“We as players have responsibility that goes beyond tennis, because sports should always stand with humanity, and humanity should never be optional.”
Ahead of the contest, Oliynykova compared Shnaider’s decision to play the last two winters in an exhibition event in St Petersburg that is financed by Russian state energy giant Gazprom to “playing in Nazi Germany for Gestapo officers”.
Oleksandra Oliynykova and Diana Shnaider face off at the net ahead of their third-round clash
The presence of eight extra security personnel around the small Court 7 was an indication that all was not quite normal.
“So many security here and I feel like nobody is talking about the fact that, when I will come back home, I will be attacked with drones and rockets,” said Oliynykova. “For me, this contrast, I feel really strange about it.”
The Kyiv resident’s father and boyfriend are in the Ukrainian army, and her run in Paris has been particularly special because her father has been on leave and able to cheer her on courtside.
Fellow Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk – who is set to play world No 3 Iga Swiatek on Sunday – was in tears on court after her first-round match following a drone strike that came within 100 metres of her family home, but she admitted she no longer has the energy to keep raising the issue.
Oliynykova feels she has no option, saying: “How can I get tired? This war, it defines my life, because my future is in Ukraine. Everything in my life is defined by war.
“If I will not try to do everything to help Ukraine to win this war, my life would be destroyed. The people I love, they would be killed. I will be killed. I don’t see any other option for me.”
Shnaider declared herself oblivious to Oliynykova’s comments and defended her decision to play in Russia.
Diana Shnaider celebrates her third round win over Oleksandra Oliynykova
“I’m travelling all year round,” she said. “I’m not seeing my family or my friends, and I have the only one opportunity to play in front of my family, in front of my friends, just to spend a little more time at home.
“I don’t know anything about what she said. Wasn’t interested at all.”
Oliynykova added that it was impossible to talk about this with Russian players on the women’s tour because, she said, they “have these horrible beliefs.”
She also accused Shnaider, who declined to voice her opinion on the war, of liking Russian propaganda posts on social media.
“She doesn’t want to comment on the war because, if she will say her opinion, it would be a very big scandal, but I show you the proof,” added Oliynykova, who has accused the WTA of trying to silence her.
“Someone needs to react. I want to stop the tour being so hypocritical pretending they cannot do anything.”
The WTA said in a statement: “This is an extraordinarily sensitive situation, and we understand players will have strong personal views.
“All WTA athletes have the right to express themselves. At the same time, the WTA is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for all athletes, regardless of nationality or country of origin.”
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