Ukrainian Tennis Player, Who Called Aryna Sabalenka ‘Dangerous’ Refuses to Shake Hands with WTA Ace for Participation in Exhibition

Ukrainian Tennis Player Oleksandra Oliynykova is in Romania for the WTA 250 Winners Open. She is playing singles and went past Mayar Sherif in her opening round before knocking out eighth seed Anna Bondar in the following match.

Oliynykova is making sure to use her platform and tell the world about the sufferings of the people back home due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. She made global headlines during the Australian Open after her defeat to defending champion Madison Keys in the first round.

Following the defeat, the 25-year-old entered the press room donning a T-shirt with these words written on it: “I need your help to protect Ukrainian children and women. But I can’t talk about it here.” In multiple interviews, she accused several Russian and Belarusian players, including Aryna Sabalenka, of supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Prior to her match against Bondar, Oliynykova made it clear that she would not be shaking hands with the Hungarian because of her participation in the North Palmyra Trophies in 2022. The exhibition event in St. Petersburg was held for the first time in 2022 after ATP and the WTA suspended tournaments in Russia. Despite its controversial nature, it attracts some top players.

The tournament was funded by Gazprom, one of the key financial pillars of Russia’s war machine. These are the same funds Russia uses to kill and maim Ukrainian women and children. These are the same funds used to destroy our parents, brothers, and husbands who are defending their families, cities, and villages on their own land. This is about humanity, human dignity, and basic human values. I cannot ignore this. The global tennis community should not ignore it.

Oleksandra Oliynykova said (H/T: BTU)

Oliynykova also slammed Daniil Medvedev for his participation in the North Palmyra Trophies last December. Her father is fighting in the war, and before arriving in Australia, Oliynykova revealed that her apartment in Kyiv shook due to an explosion nearby.

Oleksandra Oliynykova is ready to shake Anna Bondar’s hand, but on one condition

Oleksandra Oliynykova won’t take photos or shake hands with someone who “received money from sources directly linked to the war against” Ukraine. But she is ready to change her stance, in case of Anna Bondar, if she offers a public apology for her participation in the controversial exhibition event in St. Petersburg.

I allow for the possibility that Anna made a mistake when she made that decision, although it was an extremely serious one. I would be ready to shake her hand in the future if she publicly acknowledges this mistake, apologizes to the Ukrainian people, and clearly and directly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Russia as the aggressor state, and the war criminal Putin.

Before the Winners Open, Bondar featured in three tournaments Down Under. She started her 2026 season at the Brisbane International, where, after qualifying for the main draw, she lost to Cristina Bucsa in the first round.

Next at the Hobart International, the 28-year-old lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinals, while at the Australian Open, Zeynep Sonmez knocked her out in the second round. Bondar is also playing doubles in the Winners Open alongside Greet Minnen. They are scheduled to meet Maja Chwalinska and Kaja Juvan in their opening round. The former World No. 50 is ranked 64th in the rankings.

Oliynykova, on the other hand, made her Grand Slam debut at this year’s Australian Open. She reached her career-best ranking (World No.90) earlier in January this year. At present, she stands in 91st spot.

Also read: Former British No.1 Says Aryna Sabalenka Will Develop Mental Scars from her Grand Slam Final Defeats

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