Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova, who lost on the third day of competition to the defending champion, Madison Keys, 7-6(6), 6-1, appeared before the media in the subsequent press conference wearing a T-shirt with a message: “I need your help to protect children and women in Ukraine, but I can’t talk about it here.”
In the months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tennis players such as Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka were repeatedly questioned by the press, who insisted, as in May 2023 at Roland Garros, that she take a stand on the conflict.
In fact, Sabalenka even suspended some appearances before the media and since then both the WTA and the different Grand Slam tournaments have adopted the commitment to avoid talking about politics in press conferences, so there are restrictions in this regard in tournaments.
That is why, after her defeat,Oleksandra Oliynykova appeared before journalists wearing a T-shirt with a message of protest. “I need your help to protect the children and women of Ukraine, but I can’t talk about it here.”
He’s a soldier. I’m here alone now, but I used to travel with him. He’s my biggest support, my biggest fan
The tennis player explained that “we need your help and I would like to share how to do it. But if you ask me I would have to do it outside the tournament. We would have to protect civilians, children, women, myself. During my preparation, in Ukraine, I heard the explosions. Before I traveled here, in fact, there were explosions near my house. I know how people can be protected from drones, but I have to speak outside of here.”
During my preparation in Ukraine, I heard the explosions. Before I traveled here, in fact, there were explosions near my home.
When asked about the upcoming Winter Olympics, Oliynykova admitted that “I don’t watch other sports, I only watch tennis. But it’s important, every competition is important. Every opportunity to talk about Ukraine is key because this war is very long. Now many people have no electricity, no water.”
Afterwards, the Ukrainian recalled that her father, who used to accompany her to tournaments, is fighting on the front line to defend his country. “He is a soldier. Now I’m here alone, but before I traveled with him. He is my biggest supporter, my biggest fan,” explained Oliynykova. “I’m proud of him. I know his dream was to see me on this court and he just wrote to me saying that I could make it happen.”
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