Oleksandra Oliynykova slams Aryna Sabalenka over past support for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, world No. 1 says she wants peace in Ukraine
“I’ve talked about this a lot before, obviously. I want peace and if I could change something I would definitely do it,” he said.
“Other than that, I don’t have anything else to say.”
When asked if it was appropriate to be called out individually by an opposing player, he politely declined to answer.
Aryna Sabalenka wore Gucci sunglasses at a press conference on Friday after announcing her collaboration with the fashion brand.Credit: George Salpigtidis / Tennis Australia
“Listen, I’m here for tennis. This is a tennis event, I’ve said it enough in the past and I don’t want to talk politics,” he said.
Oliynykova lost to defending champion Madison Keys in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. After the match, he wore a T-shirt to draw attention to his fundraising campaign against the war in Ukraine.
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Oliynykova told this imprint: “I think it is very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis, as in other sports.”
“Because I know that’s the picture we’re in, like all the tennis girls who play, but people can’t see what’s behind it.
“And these are, you know, people who have money and power, and they use that to support aggression against my country.
The Women’s Tennis Association and Aryna Sabalenka have been contacted for comment.
More to come
