PARIS — Ukraine’s Oleksandra Olnikova vowed to proceed talking out concerning the Ukraine battle after dropping to Russian Diana Schneider within the third spherical of the French Open on Saturday.
Olnikova learn an announcement earlier than answering questions within the post-match press convention following her 7-5, 6-1 loss to Schneider. This got here two days after she made important feedback about Schneider.
“I do know that there are individuals who do not agree with my actions. I do know that there are individuals who need me to be silent. However what I am doing just isn’t about politics, it is about humanity,” Olynikova mentioned. “When individuals are being killed, when kids are dying, when violence is justified and glorified, we won’t faux nothing is going on. We will not look away.”
Olnikova added that it was unattainable to debate this with the Russian gamers on the ladies’s tour. That is as a result of they “have horrible beliefs,” she mentioned.
Talking on Thursday forward of the third spherical, she accused Schneider of favoring Russian propaganda posts on social media and slammed his participation in a Gazprom-sponsored exhibition match in Russia.
Olnikova referred to as Gazprom an organization “financing battle crimes,” including: “My house is being attacked with Gazprom funds.”
After Saturday’s sport, No. 25 seed Schneider mentioned she was unaware of Olinikova’s feedback.
“I did not hear something. I do not know something about what she mentioned,” she mentioned. “I wasn’t in any respect.”
Requested about his participation in Gazprom-sponsored occasions, Schneider mentioned: “I journey all 12 months spherical. I am unable to see my household and pals. I solely have one probability to play in entrance of my household and pals. It is to spend a bit extra time at house.”
After profitable her first spherical match, Marta Kostyuk fought again tears as she recounted how she realized on the morning of the match that her dad and mom’ house in Ukraine was about to be hit by a missile.
Kostyuk mentioned he’s exhausted after years of campaigning towards the battle, however plans to proceed voicing his opinion.
Olynikova mentioned she had no alternative however to proceed talking out.
“This battle will outline my life, as a result of my future is in Ukraine,” she mentioned. “Dad, he is going again to the navy. My boyfriend, he is a navy man. The whole lot in my life is outlined by the battle.”
