Elina Svitolina Avoids Controversy By Refusing Question on Oleksandra Oliynykova’s Remarks on Aryna Sabalenka

When sports and politics collide, the result is rarely quiet. But at the Australian Open, silence was the loudest statement made. The tennis world is currently buzzing—not just about forehands and backhands, but about a brewing storm involving Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina, Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka, and a high-fashion controversy that has reignited tensions off the court.

When reporters pressed Svitolina for her thoughts on the controversy surrounding the World No.1 and Oleksandra Oliynykova, expecting another fiery condemnation or a passionate plea for awareness, Svitolina shut it down. Svitolina said in her Australian Open press conference:

Oh, well, I have nothing to say about that. In fact, I don’t know what she said, so I’m not really aware of it.

If the fans have been following the tour since the conflict in Ukraine began, they know that the locker room atmosphere has been tense, to say the least. But a recent partnership between Sabalenka and luxury brand Gucci has poured fresh fuel on the fire, leading to a complex web of reactions, criticisms, and, in Svitolina’s case, a very pointed refusal to engage.

This silence shouldn’t be mistaken for indifference. For Svitolina, the mental toll of carrying an entire nation’s grief onto the tennis court is immense. There comes a point where constant commentary becomes exhausting.

By refusing to give the Sabalenka-Gucci narrative more oxygen, Svitolina might be making a strategic choice to focus on her game and her own mental preservation, rather than getting dragged into a PR battle over a handbag.

The Gucci collaboration that sparked the outrage

At the heart of this latest chapter is Aryna Sabalenka. As the top-ranked player in the world, her commercial appeal is undeniable. However, her recent ambassadorship with Gucci hasn’t just turned heads on the runway; it has turned stomachs for many watching the ongoing devastation in Ukraine.

For many Ukrainian observers, seeing a Belarusian athlete—whose country has been a staging ground for the invasion—celebrated in high-gloss fashion campaigns feels incredibly tone-deaf. While Sabalenka is securing major deals, Ukrainian players are constantly answering questions about the safety of their families back home.

Critics argue that while athletes have a right to earn a living, flaunting luxury partnerships during wartime displays a disconnect from reality. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about the optics of normalcy and celebration while a neighboring nation is fighting for survival.

The History of tension between Svitolina and Sabalenka

To understand why this specific moment matters, the fans have to look at the timeline. Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka have been the faces of this geopolitical divide in tennis for years now.

It started with the “no handshake” policy. Svitolina made it clear she could not offer a gesture of respect to athletes representing the aggressor nations. This came to a head at the 2023 French Open, where Svitolina was booed by the crowd for walking past the net, a moment that sparked headlines globally.

Beyond the public courts, the tension behind closed doors is palpable. Svitolina has previously spoken about the emptiness of “neutral” flags, arguing that silence from players like Sabalenka amounts to complicity.

Now, there is the fashion element. While Svitolina is fighting to keep the world’s attention on the humanitarian crisis, seeing Sabalenka celebrated by a brand like Gucci creates a jarring contrast. It highlights the cultural divide: one player is fighting for her country’s existence, while the other is fighting for market share in the luxury sector.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner’s Opponent Suffers Sudden Cramps During Live Interview Before Australian Open Clash

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