PARIS — Oleksandra Oliynykova displayed Ukrainian and Belarusian opposition symbols on her racket bag during the 2026 French Open despite WTA rules prohibiting political imagery. She adorned her bag with the trident symbol of the Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian flag, and the white-red-white flag historically associated with the Belarusian Democratic Republic and now used by Belarusian opposition groups.

The WTA rulebook bans logos, slogans, and symbols linked to political movements from being displayed before, during, or after matches, though the Grand Slam rulebook contains no such prohibition. Officials told Oliynykova she could not use the white-red-white flag, but she continued to display it. “I’m still wearing it, I’m bringing this on my matches here. I’m playing for my values,” she said.

Oliynykova, a 25-year-old Ukrainian ranked world No. 65 as of May 2026, recorded her first Grand Slam wins at the tournament, reaching the third round where she faced Russian player Diana Shnaider. Shnaider had participated in a Gazprom-sponsored exhibition tournament at the end of 2025, which Oliynykova criticized sharply. “The Gazprom tournament is a company which is financing the war crimes. I think it’s the same as playing in Nazi Germany for Gestapo officers, on the tournament organized by company which built Auschwitz. There is no difference for me,” Oliynykova said.

Diana Shnaider said, “I haven’t saw any of her comments or press conferences. Speaking of exhibition tournament, you know, I’m traveling all year-round. I’m not seeing my family or my friends, and I have the only one opportunity to play in front of my family, in front of my friends, just to spend a little more time at home. I see it as an opportunity just to, you know, show some good tennis for my family. I mean, it’s the only opportunity, so I got to use it.”

Oliynykova has previously criticized Russian and Belarusian players who engage with state-sponsored activities. During the 2026 Australian Open, she called Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev “dangerous people.” In late April 2026, she posted on social media that the WTA had threatened her with fines of tens of thousands of dollars and disqualification for her remarks. “I will continue to speak as things are. I will not let them break me, and I will not let them silence me. In the end, I simply cannot accept this level of pressure and censorship — because then I see no point,” she wrote. She added, “I don’t care about their opinions. I just want to stay alive and I want to bring attention to Ukraine and to the things these people are doing so we can finish this war faster, in the fair way.”

A WTA spokesperson stated via email that “the WTA recognizes that the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to have a profound and deeply personal impact on many of our athletes. We remain unequivocal in condemning Russia’s war on Ukraine and have consistently supported our Ukrainian players since the start of the conflict.” The spokesperson added, “This is an extraordinarily sensitive situation, and we understand players will have strong personal views. All WTA athletes have the right to express themselves. At the same time, the WTA is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for all athletes, regardless of nationality or country of origin. Our Code of Conduct exists to uphold this standard consistently across the Tour.” Representatives of Shnaider, the French Tennis Federation, and the WTA did not respond to requests for further comment.