Aryna Sabalenka is the best women’s player in the world right now, but one Australian Open rival believes she should be banned from tennis for alleged support of the Belarusian president, Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The player in question is Oleksandra Oliynykova, who was knocked out in the first round of this year’s tournament by defending champion Madison Keys. The American, who defeated Sabalenka in the 2025 final, got the job done in two sets against Oliynykova, on what was her Grand Slam debut.
While the tennis might’ve been uninspiring, it’s the comments made by Oliynykova that have raised eyebrows, with the Ukrainian believing Sabalenka should be kicked off the circuit. It stems over claims Sabalenka signed a letter of support for Lukashenko in 2020, following a controversial election in her home country, Belarus. Two years later, Lukashenko and the Belarusian military aided Vladimir Putin and Russia with their invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka was asked about signing the letter at the 2023 French Open, but initially declined to comment. She eventually addressed the claim, stating: “I don’t support war. I don’t support Lukashenko right now.”
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