“Why not use your energy for Ukraine?”: Aliaksandra Oliynykova questions fellow players after Kasatkina’s wedding
WTAThursday, 16 July 2026 at 20:00
Aliaksandra Oliynykova has sparked controversy after sharing a pointed message directed at fellow Ukrainian players following their attendance at Daria Kasatkina’s wedding celebrations in Greece. The Ukrainian world No. 52 reacted on social media after seeing images from the event, where several WTA players gathered to celebrate Kasatkina’s marriage to former figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
The wedding brought together players from different backgrounds, including Russian stars, Ukrainian competitors and athletes who have changed sporting allegiance in recent years amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
While Kasatkina — who currently represents Australia — celebrated the occasion with several of her closest friends from the Tour, including multiple players of Russian origin, like Mirra Andreevsa and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Oliynykova directed her criticism toward her Ukrainian compatriots who were also present at the event.
Among the guests were Ukrainian players Yulia Starodubtseva and Nadiia Kichenok, who were later addressed by Oliynykova in a series of Instagram stories, where she questioned their decision to attend the celebration and urged them to use their platforms to support fundraising efforts for Ukraine.
Oliynykova sends message to Ukrainian players after Kasatkina’s wedding
Oliynykova, who has previously used her platform to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine, questioned why her compatriots were not using their audience and resources to support fundraising efforts connected to the war.
“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? With your audience and resources, this could be done very quickly. There’s only $5K left to raise,” Oliynykova wrote on her Instagram stories.
The Ukrainian player then added another message directly referencing their relationships with Russian players: “Or is it because your Russian friends wouldn’t understand?”
Oliynykova calls out Ukrainian players Starodubsteva and Nadia Kichenok after they were filmed dancing and singing with Russian players at Kasatkina’s wedding
by u/mimiclarinette in tennis
Kasatkina’s wedding celebrations included several WTA players, among them Russian stars Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Mirra Andreeva. Also present were players with Russian backgrounds who currently represent other nations, including Kamilla Rakhimova, who competes for Uzbekistan, and Arina Rodionova, who represents Australia.
Kasatkina, who changed her sporting allegiance from Russia to Australia in 2025, has previously spoken about her decision and her opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her relationship with Natalia Zabiiako became public in 2022, and the couple announced their engagement in 2025.
Oliynykova continues strong run at Iasi Open
While her comments created discussion away from the court, Oliynykova has been enjoying one of her best tournament runs of the season at the Iasi Open in Romania. The 26-year-old reached the quarterfinals after defeating Ipek Oz and Elena Pridankina, securing her place in the last eight and moving closer to a potential breakthrough inside the WTA Top 50.
The third seed will face Clara Burel in the quarterfinals as she continues her campaign in Romania, looking to build momentum during the clay-court event. Oliynykova’s results on court have been accompanied by a growing presence off it, with the Ukrainian player continuing to speak publicly about issues connected to her country since the start of the war.
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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