The world’s first racket Arina Sabalenko He responded to Ukraine’s accusations at the press conference Alexandra Oleynikova In support of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukoshenko:

– Ukrainian tennis player Alexandra Oleynikova mentioned you and several Russian players, saying that you support their governments, and called for a ban on the participation of Russian and top Russian players. I just wanted to give you a chance to answer this.

– Actually, I’ve talked about this a lot before. Of course I want peace and if I could change something I would definitely do it. Other than that, I don’t have anything else to say.

– As a follow-up to the previous question, I respect your wish not to comment on politics, but do you consider Oleynikova’s comments yesterday, in which she personally mentioned you, as unfair? Do you want politics to stay out of tennis?

– Look, I’m here for tennis. This is a tennis event and I’ve said enough in the past and I don’t want to talk politics here.

Ukrainian tennis player Alexandra Oleynikova In an interview with the French publication L’Équipe, he talked about the situation in Ukraine, his feelings and experiences, and spoke about the “neutrals”, again naming specific perpetrators:

– Why do you live in Ukraine despite the danger?

– Because Ukraine is my source of strength, inspiration and motivation. I just want to stay at home! I’m not one to run away. And my friends are there. I know the situation is very difficult, but maybe all this, these emotions I am experiencing, make me stronger. Sometimes there is no electricity, heating or water in my apartment. It’s hard but you get used to it. Having all the modern amenities is less important than being in your own country, close to your family.

– Under what conditions do you train?

– The club is equipped with a generator, so it is energy independent. I can take a shower there when there is no water at home. In other clubs where such a system does not exist, children train in the dark with a few small lamps as the only source of light. So I was very lucky, but no other professional tennis players train in Ukraine. I prepare with young people, boys aged 17-18 or girls who play together against me.

– Are you traveling alone?

– Yes. I used to travel with my father, but in the summer of 2024 he voluntarily joined the Ukrainian army. This is our home. We want to live in Ukraine. He went into service because it was the best and only way to protect Ukraine’s future. While my father is defending Ukraine, I am trying to provide as much support to our army as possible, especially by playing on big fields. I can help my country by telling my story. I’m incredibly proud of my father. He is a great source of motivation. Since joining the army, I have climbed more than 200 places in the WTA rankings. I know you dream of seeing me on courts like this. I will do anything to make him more proud of me. By the way, he just sent me a message.

– Did he watch your match in Ukraine?

– Yes, apparently this is the first match he has been able to watch in over a year. He said it was incredible. I made his dream come true. What could be more motivating? I don’t know. I know the guys in his unit are watching my matches. They are very supportive. These soldiers defending Ukraine are living under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions… One of my very close friends, who is a soldier, is currently in the supercritical zone. And he watched my match at night. He wrote to me that I was incredible. I will stop here, otherwise I will cry (smiles).

– A few years ago you represented Croatia. From where?

– Because I lived there for many years. My family and I were political refugees because my father opposed the pro-Russian president (Viktor Yanukovych). And he was threatened with prison. Even his office was attacked. That’s why we had to leave. We could have returned after the victory of the Revolution of Dignity (2014), but when we left in 2011, we lost everything. We have nothing left. It took time. Today I rebuilt my life. I rent an apartment in Kiev. I train there. This is one of the things that motivates me to achieve better results: not to return to Ukraine empty-handed.

– Will the first round prize money of 150 thousand Australian dollars (approximately 86 thousand euros) at the Australian Open help you in this sense?

– Yes, but you know, when your father is in the military, there is a war and you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, you don’t want to spend too much. Many of my friends went to the military. They might be injured. Their houses may be demolished. If I spend without restriction, I cannot help them in times of distress.

– There are Russian and Belarusian players in the Australian Open, as there are throughout the season. How do you feel about this?

– It hurts so much. This is a very big problem. I find it unacceptable that they don’t get suspensions like in other sports. Some want to make us believe that we are all just tennis players, but this is not true: many support their dictators. And it is very easy to control. We’re talking about people with money and power. They use their image to justify the attack on my country.

These people have a chance to speak. Not only do they not do this, but worse, they support Lukashenko and Putin, who are behind the explosion that shook my apartment in Kiev. This is so unfair! My country and my nation suffer because of them. They support it, finance it and participate in Russian propaganda. Because of them, innocent civilians are dying in my country right now; women, children. This is unacceptable. I actually feel like I’m living next to dangerous people. They have dangerous beliefs. And their actions are dangerous.

– Who do you mean specifically?

– For example, the world’s first racket (Aryna Sabalenka). Did you know that he signed a letter supporting Lukashenko in 2020? During the protests in Belarus, those who took to the streets to defend democracy and demand fair elections were brutally suppressed and beaten, while the streets were filled with blood. He signed this letter and stated that Lukashenko is its president.

Diana Schneider (Russian tennis player, former world No. 11 racket) was awarded by Putin. Diana Schneider said that she would be happy to receive the award from the president. These are his own words in the interview.

There are also players participating in the demonstration tournament organized by Gazprom, one of the main sponsors of the war. This tournament in St. Petersburg was obviously organized to spit in the face of a sport built on honesty and unity and to show that they don’t care. (Daniil) Medvedev agreed with this. Et al. At the same time, I woke up from the explosions. Do you think this is normal? I don’t.