Ukrainian tennis star in scandal over attire promoting army aid
Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oleinikova is participating in the Challenger event in Florianopolis, Brazil. During her match against a Russian opponent, WTA officials forced her to change her outfit due to a link on her attire promoting a fundraising campaign in support of the Ukrainian army.
Although Oleksandra Oleinikova may not be the most famous among Ukrainian tennis players, she has recently been in the spotlight due to a significant scandal that erupted before her first-round match in Brazil. This incident has been widely discussed in the Ukrainian media.
Oleinikova faced off against Russian Alevtina Ibragimova, defeating her 6-4, 6-0. However, it is the situation surrounding her attire, rather than the outcome of the match, that has garnered the most attention. Her outfit featured the website address drones4ua.org, which allows supporters from abroad to contribute to the Ukrainian army's purchase of equipment. The WTA ordered her to change her clothing.
Ukrainian tennis player ordered to change attire promoting army fundraiser
Ukrainian sports websites have been vocal about the WTA's decision, labeling it "scandalous." Journalists from the website btu.org.ua reached out to Oleinikova's team for a comment on the incident.
According to the current WTA rules, you're allowed to advertise a bank or an expensive watch, but you can't promote a charity fundraiser for equipment, medicine, or vehicles for a country enduring the deceitful, inhumane aggression of a reckless neighbor (...) We decided to comply with the WTA's demands and temporarily remove the logo from Oleksandra's clothing. However, this doesn't imply agreement with their decision. We will strategize to continue promoting this project without violating WTA rules. In the next tournament, expect our response. Greetings to all fans, glory to Ukraine - they wrote.
In the second round of the Challenger, Oleksandra Oleinikova played against Maja Chwalińska. The Polish player won the match 7-6(1), 6-1.
