Oliynykova's Frontal Attack on Shnaider: "He doesn't want to talk because he knows what he does is unacceptable"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 30 May 2026 | 16.41

Oleksandra Oliyninkova, frontal attack on Shnaider. Photo: gettyimages

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Oleksandra Oliynykova fell in the third round of Roland Garros 2026, but once again became one of the tournament's protagonists for her strong stance against Russian propaganda and the criticism directed at Diana Shnaider, her opponent and conqueror. She delivered a powerful message defining it as a matter of humanity and not politics.

The Ukrainian also spoke about the enormous impact the war continues to have on her personal life. She explained that her father will soon return to the army, her partner is a soldier, and her entire future is conditioned by the conflict. Additionally, Oleksandra Oliynykova directly responded to the statements made shortly before by Diana Shnaider, whom she once again accused of participating in and benefiting from Russian propaganda.

A Message She Wanted to Deliver Before Answering Questions

"I know there are people who do not agree with my actions, and I know some would prefer me to remain silent. But what I do is not about politics; it is about humanity."

"When people are being killed, when children are dying, and when violence is justified or even celebrated, we cannot pretend that nothing is happening. We cannot look the other way or protect those who support or excuse such actions."

"Our organization was not built by pioneers like Billie Jean King so that money and luxury could be the only values in women's tennis. They wanted something much greater. They wanted us to have a voice, to inspire others, and to be role models for young athletes."

"Being a role model has nothing to do with the size of a bank account, expensive watches, private jets, or luxury brands. A true role model is someone who has the courage to confront evil, who speaks up when it's easier to stay silent, and who acts when action is necessary."

"As athletes, we have a responsibility that goes far beyond tennis. Sport should always be on the side of humanity, and humanity should never be optional."

The Unity of Ukrainian Players

"There is absolute solidarity among all Ukrainian players. Each one tries to help in the way they consider appropriate because we all have different experiences, but we all stand by our country."

"Each player finds their own way to express themselves, but we share the same values and the same concern for what is happening."

Her Harsh Critique of Russian Players

"Let's be honest, Russian players do not want to communicate. They hold beliefs that I consider appalling, and that is the reality we currently have within the circuit."

"In my opinion, this is something we should stop accepting in professional sports. If they do not want to listen and continue to spread propaganda, there should be some mechanism within the circuit to prevent it."

War, a Reality That Shapes Her Entire Life

"If I were quiet or if I grew tired of talking about this, honestly, I would find no meaning in being here. I believe the mission of sport is to bring people together around the right things."

"How could I grow tired? When I return home, I will continue to live this war. The war defines my life because my future is in Ukraine. My father returns to the army, my boyfriend is a soldier, and practically everything that is part of my life is conditioned by this conflict."

"I am talking about a situation where we are subjected to aggression while there are people using the popularity, influence, and money they earn here to support that war. The silence that exists within the circuit on these matters is dangerous and incorrect."

"If I were to remain silent, I would not understand what I am doing here. I have to try to do everything possible to help Ukraine. If Ukraine loses this war, my life would be destroyed, the people I love could die, and I could die myself. I see no other option for me."

The Most Emotional Moment of the Tournament: Her Father's Presence

"I am very happy that my father was able to come. He was able to see my first victory in a Grand Slam because the last time he saw me play was in a 35-category ITF tournament."

"I also arrived in Paris with many doubts because I injured my leg in Strasbourg. The physiotherapists had warned me that the situation could worsen, and I did not know if I would perform well here."

"In the end, I managed to play three solid matches and reach the third round. After each match, he would tell me he was proud of me. Hearing those words was probably the most important thing I am taking away from this tournament."

"I do not know when he will see me compete in another tournament because within a week, he will return to Ukraine and go back to the army. Seeing his emotion and hearing his pride meant a lot to me."

Her Reflection on Security at Roland Garros

"I did not know there was additional security around the court. Organizers feel a certain responsibility, I understand that, but personally, I do not think I need protection."

"I walk around the tournament completely normally because I feel that the people who come here just want to enjoy tennis and support their favorite players. Thinking that something could happen is a very remote possibility."

"When I return home, I will live under bombings. There is a very strange contrast between being surrounded by security measures here for a minimal possibility and knowing that when I return to Ukraine, I will face real drones and missiles."

"That is why I find it strange that there is so much talk about security here and so little about what happens daily in my country. Furthermore, during the match, I did not see a single aggressive person in the stands. Everyone was very respectful."

Her Response to Diana Shnaider

"She says she does not want to comment on the war because she knows perfectly well that if she truly expressed her opinions, a great scandal would erupt. I have presented evidence, and that is why I believe someone must react."

"The circuit has mechanisms to punish certain behaviors. For example, you can receive sanctions if you participate in events organized by certain companies. If those mechanisms exist, why are they not used when we talk about tournaments organized by sponsors linked to war crimes?"

"She does not want to speak because she knows that many of the things she has done would be unacceptable to people living in Europe who believe in democratic values and freedom. But she continues to read certain propagandists, continues to participate in those events, and knows perfectly well what they represent."

"She comes here, earns money, gets public visibility, and then returns there to continue supporting what she believes in. I have already presented evidence of that. That is why they prefer to say they know nothing or do not want to comment on the issue. That is exactly the strategy they have been using all this time."

The Affection of the Crowd during Her Debut in Paris

"I was very happy to see so many people supporting me. I always enjoy spending time with fans after the matches."

"I am grateful to all the people who come to support us and who help give visibility to this sport. It is always a pleasure for me to spend time with them after the matches."

Although her participation in Roland Garros ended in the third round, Oleksandra Oliynykova once again made it clear that she believes her role goes far beyond sports results. The Ukrainian took advantage of the biggest stage of her career to insist on a message she has been repeating throughout the tournament: tennis cannot live oblivious to a war that continues to affect every aspect of her daily life.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ataque frontal de Oliyninkova a Shnaider: "No quiere hablar porque sabe que es inaceptable lo que hace"

Oleksandra Oliynykova