Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova Calls Out Aryna Sabalenka for Liking Post Praising Vladimir Putin

Oleksandra Oliynykova is competing at the Italian Open, where she has reached the third round after receiving a walkover from Clara Tauson. Oliynykova has scheduled her third-round match against Linda Noskova, who defeated Anastasia Zakharova.

The 25-year-old recently gave an interview to journalist Ben Rothenberg during which he asked her about Aryna Sabalenka reportedly liking a post praising Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian influencer Victoria Bonya posted the video, which received more than a million views. Sabalenka reportedly removed her like later.

If we will talk about Sabalenka, in her specific context, it’s actually a very small thing. Because this is the person who signed this document for Lukashenko in 2020: during the protests [in Belarus], she supported him, and she has never [withdrawn] this signature.

Oleksandra Oliynykova told Bounces

Oliynykova, also during the Winners Open, refused to shake her hands with Anna Bondar, because the Hungarian ace, back in 2022, participated in the North Palmyra Trophies, an exhibition event funded by Russian gas giant Gazprom. She called out Bondar, but the WTA pressured her not to name players.

But these likes are visible, and the likes from public people on this publication, they show that you’re agreeing with this. And when the normal people see that some big person, famous person—I think she’s the most famous Belarusian woman in the world—when they see this, they see that people agree with this. And if they agree with it, then it’s OK. And if it’s OK, then it helps form a society.

Oleksandra Oliynykova added

Oliynykova reached the semifinals in Cluj-Napoca but lost to eventual runner-up Emma Raducanu, who withdrew from the ongoing event. Sabalenka, on the other hand, breezed past 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in her opening-round match in Rome.

Aryna Sabalenka explains the ups and downs in women’s matches

Aryna Sabalenka is a one-time Rome finalist, reaching the final in 2024 and losing to six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka, who will next be locking horns with Sorana Cirstea in the third round, was asked in the pre-tournament press conference about the ups and downs seen in women’s matches.

It’s not very easy to stay focused from the very beginning to the very end. That’s the only explanation that I have, is because the level is getting higher, which requires more focus, and more of a consistency and a better level. I think that’s the only explanation. Plus, being a woman with the hormones changing, you can change the match. You can go from one side to another really quick.

Before arriving in Rome, Sabalenka failed to defend her Madrid Open title, losing to Hailey Baptiste in the quarterfinals. Last year, she lifted her third title in the Spanish capital by defeating two-time Grand Slam singles champion Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka is chasing her fourth title of the season in the Italian capital. The 28-year-old first defended her title at the Brisbane International, then failed to win her third title at the Australian Open, losing to Elena Rybakina in three sets.

After skipping the two WTA 1000 events in the Middle East Swing, the World No.1 completed the Sunshine Double. She took her revenge on Rybakina in the Indian Wells final and beat Gauff in the Miami final. Sabalenka later withdrew from the Stuttgart Open, where she has played four finals but has yet to emerge victorious.

She has so far featured in 15 WTA 1000 finals, winning 11 titles. Last year on the clay swing, after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in the Stuttgart final, Sabalenka beat Gauff in Madrid but lost to Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open before losing to Gauff in the French Open final.

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