Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova has demanded that world number one Aryna Sabalenka and fellow competitors from Russia and Belarus be expelled from professional tennis entirely.
The 25-year-old made her Grand Slam debut at Melbourne Park this week, suffering defeat to defending champion Madison Keys in straight sets during the opening round.
Following her exit on Tuesday evening, the world number 92 donned a T-shirt bearing a pointed message: "I need your help to protect Ukrainian children and women, but I can't talk about it here."
She subsequently told The Age that permitting athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete was "very wrong" given the ongoing conflict devastating her homeland.
Aryna Sabalenka came under fire at the Australian Open and was told she should be banned
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"It's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports," Oliynykova stated.
"I know that here is the picture that we are all tennis girls playing, but the people don't see the things behind it," she explained. "The people with money and power, they are using this to support aggression against my country."
Oliynykova specifically highlighted Sabalenka's signing of a letter backing Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in 2020, two years prior to Russia's full-scale invasion with Belarusian military assistance.
The Kyiv-born player's father currently serves as a soldier, and she has been channelling her earnings towards purchasing drones for Ukraine's defence efforts.
Her motivation to compete has intensified since his enlistment, with her ranking climbing more than 200 places during that period.
Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova has called for Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka to be banned
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The day before departing for Melbourne, Oliynykova revealed she narrowly escaped a drone strike that struck her neighbour's flat.
Sabalenka addressed the Ukrainian player's remarks following her commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over China's Bai Zhuoxuan on Wednesday.
"I have spoken a lot about that before. Obviously I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that," the two-time Australian Open champion declared. "Other than that, I have nothing else to say."
The Belarusian made clear she wished to keep her focus on the court rather than engage with political matters.
"I am here for tennis. I have said enough in the past, and I don't want to talk politics here," she added.
At the 2023 French Open, Sabalenka had previously distanced herself from her homeland's leadership, stating: "I don't support war. I don't support Lukashenko right now."
Oliynykova remains the sole professional player actively training within Ukraine, refusing to relocate despite the constant threat of attack.
Aryna Sabalenka refused to talk about the war when asked about it
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Her stance echoes that of compatriots Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, both of whom decline to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.
Kostyuk notably refused even to pose for photographs with Sabalenka following the Brisbane International final.
Since Moscow launched its illegal invasion in March 2022, sporting bodies have imposed various restrictions on Russian and Belarusian participation.
FIFA and UEFA barred Russian national and club sides from all competitions, including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cup.
Wimbledon prohibited players from both nations in 2022, though this ban was subsequently lifted the following year, permitting them to compete under neutral flags.