‘I’m pro-peace, nothing has changed’: Sabalenka responds to Ukrainian’s political shot

Aryna Sabalenka has reiterated her desire for peace, after Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova took aim at the women’s tennis world No.1 for the second time in the past few days.

Oliynykova, who also hit out at other Belarusian and Russian players, claiming they should be banned by the sport because of their countries of origin, criticised Sabalenka again after fashion house Gucci announced its collaboration with the Belarusian last week.

The Ukrainian world No.92 took to social media to comment on the announcement just before Sabalenka’s fourth-round match on Sunday.

“A supporter of a bloody dictator becomes an ambassador for a top brand ... what is wrong with this world,” Oliynykova posted on her Instagram story.

“And at what point did people start valuing powerful serves and forehands over ruined lives?”

On Sunday, Sabalenka reinforced comments she had made earlier in the tournament that she wanted peace, following her straight-sets victory over Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko.

“I respect that everyone is allowed to have their opinion and use their platforms,” Sabalenka said.

“I’ve been clear before that I’m pro-peace. Nothing has changed. That’s all I can say about that.”

Oliynykova told this masthead last week that the presence of top Belarusian and Russian players on tour and at grand slams was “very wrong”, despite the fact they do not compete under their countries’ flags.

Belarusian Sabalenka has previously repeatedly said she did not support the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and that she only wanted peace in Ukraine. Lukashenko is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This masthead is not suggesting the claims by Oliynykova are true, only that they have been made.

When Sabalenka was asked about the Ukrainian’s initial comments, following her second-round win on Wednesday, she said she wanted peace.

“I have spoken a lot about that before, obviously. I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that,” she said.

“Other than that, I have nothing else to say.”

Asked if it was appropriate that she was called out individually by a rival player, she politely declined to respond.

“Listen, I’m here for tennis. It’s a tennis event. I’ve said enough in the past and I don’t want to talk politics,” she said.

Oliynykova lost to reigning champion Madison Keys in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. She wore a T-shirt after her match drawing attention to her campaign to raise funds to fight the war in Ukraine.

“I think it’s very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports,” Oliynykova said.

“Because I know that here is the picture that we are, like all tennis girls playing, but the people don’t see the things behind it.

“And this is the people with money and power, and they are using this to support aggression against my country.”

Ukrainian No.12 seed Elina Svitolina was asked about Oliynykova’s comments on Sunday night following her win over Russia’s Mirra Andreeva but Svitolina said she wasn’t aware of the comments so would not comment on them.

The Women’s Tennis Association has been contacted for comment.

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