Anna Bondár lost in two sets to her Ukrainian opponent Oleksandra Oliynykova in the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Romania). After the tennis match, Oliynykova refused to shake hands with Anna Bondár or pose for photos because she had previously participated in a Russian tournament, Eurosport reported. The Ukrainian player did not display sportsmanlike behavior before or after the match.
Oleksandra Oliynykova explained to Ukraine’s BTU why she did not participate in the traditional pre-match joint photo or the post-match handshake. The Ukrainian athlete said:
“Anna Bondár participated in the North Palmyra Trophies tournament in December 2022, an event held in Russia, thereby openly disregarding the international sanctions and restrictions imposed on the aggressor state. The tournament was financed by Gazprom, one of the most important financial pillars of the Russian military machine.
This is the money that Russia uses to kill and maim Ukrainian women and children. This is the same money that is used to destroy our fathers, brothers, and husbands, who are defending their families, cities, and villages on their own land.”
Oleksandra Oliynykova to refuse joint photo and handshake with
Anna Bondar at WTA 250 in Cluj-Napoca
Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova will not take part in the traditional pre-match joint photo or shake hands with Hungarian player Anna Bondar during their… pic.twitter.com/zfseUZ34Pj
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) February 2, 2026
According to Oliynykova, Bondár’s decision to play in Russia was made after the world learned of the atrocities committed by the Russians, such as the Bucha massacre. “Traveling to a tournament in Russia in December 2022 and accepting payment from Gazprom’s funds is morally the same as traveling to a tournament in Nazi Germany in 1941 and accepting jewelry stolen from Jews murdered in the Auschwitz and Treblinka death camps as a reward. It is the same evil, just 80 years later,” said Oliynykova, who believes her decision is not a personal one, but a matter of principle.
The Ukrainian athlete told the newspaper that this is about human dignity and fundamental human values, so she cannot ignore it, and neither should the global tennis community. “Fans should not forget this either. That is why I cannot bring myself to take photos or shake hands with someone who has received money from sources directly linked to the war against my country,” she added.
Oliynykova acknowledged the possibility that Bondár made a mistake with her decision, but she believes it was an extremely serious mistake.
The Ukrainian tennis player said she would be willing to shake hands with Bondár in the future if she publicly acknowledged her mistake, “apologized to the Ukrainian people, and clearly and openly condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the aggressor state, Russia, and the war criminal, Putin.”
She noted that she is also a member of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and is ready to work with the organization to protect tennis from actions that, due to their anti-human nature, undermine the fundamental values of the sport.
Fact
The outrageous move came as international sports associations are reconsidering removing the ban on Russia imposed after it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Most recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that international bans in general do more harm than good, advocating for the nearly four-year-old ban to be lifted. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has also been vocal about the banning of Russian athletes from international competitions. Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Minister said the Games’ true mission is “promoting peace” and that they should focus on this rather than politics.
Via Eurosport, Hungarian Conservative, BTU; Featured photo: Pexels
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