Ukrainian Tennis Star Oliynykova Maintains Anti-Russia Stance at Hamburg Open Amid Political Tensions
Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova (25) advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA Hamburg Ladies Open after a 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 win over Spain's Leyre Romero Gormaz. Oliynykova, who rose from world No. 300 to the Top 50 in 2026, is known for her vocal opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine. She donates prize money for drones and ammunition via drones4ua.org and has been fined by the WTA for political statements. She refused to shake hands with Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in May over Putintseva's participation in a Gazprom-sponsored tournament. At Rothenbaum, an icy duel looms with Elina Avanesyan, who changed citizenship from Russian to Armenian in 2024; Ukrainian Elina Svitolina also refused a handshake with Avanesyan. Oliynykova says such matches are 'only about tennis' on court but emotionally struggles with separation from family in Ukraine.
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