Ukrainians demand stop for Russian war supporters in tennis

Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova has called on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) to intervene against players who support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Her appeal comes after she faced Russian player Diana Shnaider in the third round of the French Open, a match Shnaider won in two sets.

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The Russian players have these terrible attitudes. This is what we have on the tour right now. For me, this is something we should stop accepting in professional sports.

Oliynykova expressed her dismay at the "terrible attitudes" of Russian players on the tour, stating, "For me, this is something we should stop accepting in professional sports." She added, "If they do not want to listen and continue to spread propaganda, then there should be a mechanism on the tour to stop it." Oliynykova believes these players use their platform and earnings to support "their dictators," a practice she insists must end.

Prior to the match, Oliynykova had accused Shnaider of receiving funds from a company she claims finances war crimes. She showed images on her phone, including Shnaider playing at an event sponsored by the Russian state energy company Gazprom, and some of Shnaider's social media "likes." Oliynykova's concerns stem from the ongoing conflict and its impact on the sport.

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If they do not want to listen and continue to spread propaganda, then there should be a mechanism on the tour to stop it.

Shnaider, however, claimed ignorance of Oliynykova's criticism following her victory. "Yesterday I was just training and preparing," she said, according to AFP. "So I haven't heard anything. I have no idea what she said. I was not interested at all." Shnaider also declined to comment on the social media references, stating, "Regarding the exhibition tournament, I travel all year round. I don't see my family or friends, and I only have one opportunity to play in front of them and just spend some time at home."

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They will make money. They will be public. They will use it to support their dictators. This is what they will do, and we must stop accepting it.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Oliynykova has repeatedly raised this issue within the WTA tour.

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Yesterday I was just training and preparing. So I haven't heard anything. I have no idea what she said. I was not interested at all.