Sawt Falasteen - Ukraine's Oliynykova wants Russian, Belarusian players banned from tennis

The 25-year-old, whose father is fighting on the frontlines, made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open on Tuesday, losing to defending champion Madison Keys.

She attended her post-match press conference wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: "I need your help to protect Ukrainian women and children but I can’t talk about it here."

Under Grand Slam guidelines, players are prohibited from making political statements at competition venues.

But in an interview with the Melbourne Age newspaper she took aim at Russian and Belarusian players, despite them competing under a neutral white flag as independents.

"I think it's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports," she 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."

Sabalenka, who is Belarusian, has previously said she believes that sport "is nothing to do with politics".

Belarus is a close ally of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Oliynykova said she did not speak with Russian and Belarusian players in the locker rooms or on the practice courts.

"I don't communicate with them. But, you know, people are not informed about this and if I need to say it, I will, because I feel (it is) unfair."

Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still lives and trains in her homeland despite the constant threat of Russian attacks.

Just before she came to Australia, the Kyiv native came close to being hit in one such incursion.

"There was an explosion just near my home and a drone hit the home just across the road," she said. "My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion."

Fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk has also been outspoken about the war and refuses to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players, most recently Sabalenka after losing in the Brisbane International final.

G.AbuOdeh--SF-PST