Australian Open star demands Aryna Sabalenka is disqualified and banned | Tennis | Sport

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 her 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 from 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.

Speaking to Australian publication, The Age, she singled out Sabalenka and said: “It’s very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports. I know that here is the picture that we are all tennis girls playing, but the people don’t see the things behind it.

“The people with money and power, they are using this to support aggression against my country. They are the reason, the people who have the power to speak up – they are not doing this.”

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.”

But Oliynykova believes it’s scant consolation, who went on to state she doesn’t believe players from Russia or Belarus should be involved at all. The 25-year-old added that she refuses to speak to Russian or Belarusian players in the locker room.

When questioned about it, Sabalenka replied: “It’s their position. What can I do? I don’t mind that. I don’t care about that. When I go into the match, it’s all about tennis and sport.

“When I go out there, I think about my tennis and think about what I have to do to get the win. It doesn’t matter if it’s Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula. I still go out there and try my best and fight for the trophy. I have nothing to prove. I go out there and compete as an athlete.”