Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has defeated another russian player, Mirra Andreeva, powering her way into the Australian Open quarter finals.
Following the match, Andreeva was met with boos and did not attempt a handshake. Elina, like most Ukrainian athletes, maintains a clear and principled stance: no handshakes with russian or belarussian players while russia continues its genocidal war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian athletes uphold this stance with dignity and courage because their country faces relentless aggression from russia. Daily drone and missile attacks have targeted cities and towns, killing and maiming thousands, damaging billions in infrastructure – including 500+ sporting facilities. More than 160,000 russian war crimes have been documented.
This is why global sport cannot remain “business as usual”.
We continue to urge sporting bodies to ban russian and belarussian athletes from international competition. Allowing them to compete – even under ‘neutral’ flags – helps to whitewash and normalise russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
Elina, congratulations on your achievement and thank you for your resilience and integrity – on and off the court.
Elina’s earlier victory over russian Diana Shnaider resonated strongly with fans and Ukrainian supporters amid ongoing revelations around the so-called ‘neutral’ players.
🚫 russian tennis players Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva accepted a state honour from putin after winning silver at the Paris Olympics under a ‘neutral’ flag.
⛽ In Nov 2025, Shnaider took part in a Gazprom-funded tennis event in St Petersburg. Gazprom actively supports russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Wishing Elina strength and success – the Australian-Ukrainian community is cheering you on!
#StandWithUkraine #AustralianOpen2026 #AO2026 #UkrainianTennis #russiaIsATerroristState #ElinaSvitolina
