'Dangerous' Aryna Sabalenka called out by Ukrainian WTA player
NewsWednesday, 21 January 2026 at 17:27
Aryna Sabalenka is in the headlines again for political reasons after Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova launched an attack on her and Russian and Belarusian athletes more broadly.
Since February 2022, Russian and Belarusian tennis players have competed under neutral banners because of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. That action has been backed from the start by Belarus's government.
Opinions have sharply differed on how tennis's governing bodies should respond to the situation. Players competing under neutral banners has caused some controversy, and the ban on Russians and Belarusians from the 2022 Wimbledon Championships caused wider outrage.
However, Ukrainian ATP and WTA stars have called for harsher actions. Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, and Dayana Yastremska are among those who believe Russian and Belarusian athletes should be banned until Russia withdraws from Ukraine.
Oliynykova, who made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2026 Australian Open, was the latest to speak passionately in an interview with L'Equipe. She explicitly blamed Russian and Belarusian athletes who do not speak out for Ukrainians being killed.
“These people have the power to speak out. Not only do they not, but worse, many support Lukashenko and Putin, who are behind the explosion that shook my apartment in Kyiv."
“It’s their fault that my country and my people are suffering. They support this, they finance this, they participate in Russian propaganda. It’s because of them that innocent civilians, women, children, are being killed right now in my country. It’s unacceptable.”
Oliynykova took direct aim at Sabalenka, who Marta Kostyuk snubbed after their 2026 Adelaide International final, in the same interview, noting that the WTA world No. 1 had previously supported Lukashenko during protests, which is factually correct.
“Actually, I feel like I’m living alongside dangerous people. They hold dangerous beliefs. And their actions are dangerous. I’m talking, for example, about the world number one (Aryna 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 those who were demonstrating, defending democracy, and demanding fair elections were being repressed and beaten. Well, she signed it and declared that Lukashenko was her president."
Sabalenka was asked about Oliynykova's words in a press conference. She has previously grown agitated when asked about the conflict in Ukraine and sounded that way again, stating she wanted the war to stop while not responding directly to Oliynykova.
"Well, I’ve spoken a lot about that before. Obviously, I want peace and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that. Other than that, I have nothing else to say."
"Listen, I'm here for tennis. It's a tennis event. I have said enough in the past and just don't want to talk politics here. Thank you."
Daniil Medvedev was condemned for his participation in a Russian exhibition
In an interview with L'Equipe, Ukrainian WTA player Oleksandra Oliynykova criticized Russian duo Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev for their respective actions of praising Vladimir Putin and competing in a Russian exhibition.
"Diana Shnaider was honoured by Putin. Well, Diana Shnaider stated that she would be delighted to receive an award from her president. Those are her exact words, from an interview."
"There are also players who participate in the exhibition organised by Gazprom, one of the main sponsors of the war. This tournament in Saint Petersburg 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 with a start because of the explosions. Do you think that’s normal? I don’t."
Medvedev was asked about those remarks at a 2026 Australian Open press conference. The 2021 US Open winner diplomatically said he respected people's opinions and did not directly address the Ukrainian.
"In general, I respect all the opinions of all the people. I try… on the court, actually a bit different, right (smiles)? But outside the court, I respect all the opinions, but that’s her opinion and honestly I don’t have anything to say about it."
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