“I cannot take photos or shake hands with a person who has received money linked to the war”: Oliynykova refuses handshake at Transylvania Open
WTAMonday, 02 February 2026 at 19:30
The Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova announced that she would not participate in the official photo or handshake during her second-round match at the WTA 250 Transylvania Open, against Hungarian Anna Bondar. The world No. 91 has been especially critical of handshakes with Russian or Belarusian players – and had previously criticized several of her colleagues during the past Austrian Open, although this time it concerns a Hungarian opponent.
The 25-year-old player has had a remarkable rise over the past year; in 2025 she went from barely being in the top 300. Her best historical ranking as a top-100 player allowed her to make her debut in a Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne – facing the defending champion Madison Keys in the first round at Rod Laver Arena.
In her debut in Transylvania, Oliynykova secured a strong victory over former top-40 player Mayar Sherif, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the next round, where she will face Hungarian 8th seed Anna Bondar.
The three-time WTA 125 champion last year already has the ranking to compete in WTA 250 tournaments and above, which has given her new visibility – something she has wanted to take advantage of to make statements regarding the war in Ukraine. Oliynykova is an active voice on the situation in Ukraine and has even personally collected financial resources to send aid, while her father – who previously traveled with her – is in her country fighting in the war.
“This is about humanity, human dignity, and basic human values”
Oliynykova traveled to Romania this time to compete in the WTA 250 Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca and was drawn to face Hungarian Anna Bondar in the first round. However, prior to her debut, the 25-year-old declared that she was not willing to take a photo with her opponent in a conversation with BTU Portal.
“Anna Bondar participated in the North Palmyra Trophies tournament in December 2022 – an event held in Russia in open disregard of international sanctions and restrictions imposed on the aggressor state,” Oliynykova commented. “The tournament was funded by Gazprom, one of the key financial pillars of Russia’s war machine.”
“These are the same funds Russia uses to kill and maim Ukrainian women and children. These are the same funds used to destroy our parents, brothers, and husbands who are defending their families, cities, and villages on their own land,” added the world No. 91. “To travel to Russia in December 2022 to play in a tournament and accept money funded by Gazprom is, from a moral standpoint, equivalent to playing in a tournament in Nazi Germany in 1941 and being paid with jewelry taken from Jews murdered in the Auschwitz and Treblinka death camps. It is the same evil – only 80 years later.”
The Ukrainian player, a few weeks earlier, had criticized players who participated in the Gazprom exhibition in St. Petersburg at the end of 2025 – among them several Russians, such as Daniil Medvedev and Veronika Kudermetova. She was also critical of Mira Andreeva and Diana Shnaider – silver medalists in the Olympic Games for Russia and who received medals of honor from Putin for their doubles campaign in Paris 2024.
“This is about humanity, human dignity, and basic human values. I cannot ignore this. The global tennis community should not ignore it. Fans should not forget about it,” added Oliynykova. “That is why I cannot bring myself to take photos or shake hands with a person who has received money from sources directly linked to the war against my country.”
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“I allow for the possibility that Anna made a mistake when she made that decision – although it was an extremely serious one. I would be ready to shake her hand in the future if she publicly acknowledges this mistake, apologizes to the Ukrainian people, and clearly and directly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Russia as the aggressor state, and the war criminal Putin.”
“I am part of the WTA, and I respect our organization. That is why I am ready to work together with the WTA – openly, constructively, and responsibly – to ensure that tennis is protected from actions that, by their inhumane and anti-human nature, undermine its core values.”
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