“I’m living alongside dangerous people”: Ukrainian debutant Oliynykova targets Sabalenka and Russian players

Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova delivered harsh criticism of Aryna Sabalenka, whom she described as “dangerous people with dangerous beliefs,” while also directing criticism at former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and former world No. 11 Diana Shnaider.

World No. 82 Oliynykova made her Australian Open debut, her first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam main draw, facing none other than defending champion Madison Keys.

The Ukrainian player—largely unknown to most spectators—has enjoyed a significant rise since last year. She claimed titles on the ITF circuit (W35, W50 and W75) and added three WTA 125 trophies in the latter part of the season. Thanks to her consistency, she secured a place inside the top 100 and earned her first appearance in a Grand Slam main draw.

Oliynykova stepped onto Rod Laver Arena and showed a strong competitive spirit, racing to an early double-break advantage and taking a commanding 4–0 lead. It appeared set to be a difficult day for Keys, but the American recovered and turned the match around, winning five consecutive games before the set was decided in a tie-break. While Keys saved two set points in the opener, the second set was entirely one-sided, as she sealed a 7–6(8–6), 6–1 victory.

The Kyiv-born player has a deeply personal story behind her journey. Her father—who previously travelled with her to tournaments as her manager—is currently fighting in Ukraine in the war against Russia. Oliynykova herself has created a website to collect donations.

In a recent interview with Bounces, conducted by tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, the Ukrainian spoke about her recent arrival on the WTA Tour and issued strong criticism of Russian and Belarusian players, pointing directly at world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

“Actually, I feel like I’m living alongside dangerous people,” the Ukrainian said. “They hold dangerous beliefs. And their actions are dangerous. I’m talking, for example, about the world No. 1, Sabalenka. Did you know that she signed the list supporting Lukashenko in 2020?”

“During the protests in Belarus, when the streets were covered in blood because people defending democracy and demanding fair elections were being repressed and beaten—she signed it and declared that Lukashenko was her president.”

Sabalenka was not the only target of criticism from the 25-year-old, whose father remains on the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Oliynykova also recalled the honours given by Vladimir Putin to Russian athletes following the Olympic Games, during which Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva received the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, First Class. “Diana Shnaider was honoured by Putin. And Diana Shnaider said she would be delighted to receive an award from her president. Those are her exact words, from an interview.”

She also criticised players who took part in an exhibition event organised by Gazprom, one of the main sponsors of the war. “There are also players who participate in the exhibition organised by Gazprom,” the Ukrainian recalled, referring to the controversial event held in St. Petersburg during the off-season. “This tournament was organised, let’s be frank, to spit in the face of fair play and unity, to show they don’t care. Medvedev participated. Many others did too.” “Meanwhile, I was waking up in terror because of explosions. Do you think that’s normal? I don’t.”

That exhibition featured Medvedev and Diana Shnaider, along with several other Russian players such as Karen Khachanov, Veronika Kudermetova and Anastasia Potapova, as well as her partner Tallon Griekspoor, and Russian-born Kazakh players Alexander Bublik and Yulia Putintseva.