Linda Noskova backs Oleksandra Oliynykova after Canadian Open prize money donation to Ukraine’s military

Sunday, 09 August 2026 at 19:30

Linda Noskova publicly showed her support for Oleksandra Oliynykova after the Ukrainian player announced that she had donated all of her prize money from the 2026 Canadian Open to support Ukraine’s military.

The Czech player shared a social media post highlighting Oliynykova's contribution, which exceeded $18,000 and was directed toward Ukrainian military units operating unmanned aerial systems and ground robotic systems. The donation was allocated to the “Spalakh” Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade and the Ground Robotic Systems Company of the 413th “Raid” Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment.

Noskova’s public gesture drew attention because of her recent rise on the WTA Tour. The Czech won the 2026 Wimbledon title and entered the Canadian Open as the sixth seed, giving additional visibility to the world No. 44 fundraising effort.

The two players have faced each other once on the WTA Tour. Their only meeting came in the third round of the Rome Open, where Noskova recorded a straightforward 6-1, 6-3 victory. Their interaction in Toronto, however, was centered on support for Oliynykova's off-court initiative rather than their previous competitive history.

Toronto campaign ended early for both players

Noskova arrived in Toronto as one of the tournament’s top seeds and received a first-round bye. Her campaign ended in the second round after a defeat to American Caty McNally, preventing the Wimbledon champion from building momentum during the North American hard-court swing.

Oliynykova was also eliminated in her opening match. The Ukrainian lost 4-6, 4-6 to former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, but her tournament became notable for the decision to donate her entire earnings from the event. The amount, reported at more than $18,000, was transferred to organizations supporting Ukrainian military operations involving drones and robotic technology.

Noskova shared the donation announcement on her social media account, reposting the message that detailed Oliynykova's contribution and accompanying it with two heart emojis — one yellow and one blue — referencing the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Although the Czech did not add any further comment, the repost gave additional visibility to the fundraising effort.

Oliynykova has been one of the Tour’s most outspoken Ukrainian voices

The donation is consistent with Oliynykovas' broader public profile during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The 25-year-old has repeatedly used her social media platforms to promote fundraising campaigns and to criticize fellow players when she believes they have failed to publicly support Ukrainian causes.

A few days after Wimbledon, Oliynykova drew attention with a pointed message directed at Ukrainian players Yulia Starodubtseva and Nadiia Kichenok after they attended celebrations surrounding Daria Kasatkina’s wedding in Greece. The event also included several players of Russian origin, including Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

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After images from the celebration circulated online, Oliynykova questioned why her compatriots had not used their public platforms to help complete a fundraiser for a vehicle intended for Ukrainian military personnel.

"Girls, judging by your cheerful dancing, I can see you have plenty of energy. Why not use it to help close the fundraiser for a vehicle for the Ukrainian Marines?," Oliynykova wrote on social media. "With your audience and resources, this could be done very quickly. There’s only $5K left to raise."

Earlier in the season, Oliynykova was also critical of Russian player Diana Shnaider before their scheduled meeting at Roland Garros. She objected to Shnaider’s participation in a Gazprom exhibition event in Russia, arguing that involvement with the company carried political and ethical implications given the ongoing conflict.

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Those comments were part of a wider pattern of activism that has made Oliinykova one of the most vocal Ukrainian players on tour. She has repeatedly spoken about the war’s impact on her family, including the fact that her father, who previously traveled with her during the early stages of her career, has spent years involved in Ukraine’s military effort.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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