The Ukrainian tennis star who refused to leave her homeland
In short: While many athletes flee conflict, Oleksandra Oliynykova chose a different path. After being forced into exile as a child, the professional tennis player returned to Kyiv to train amidst the Russian invasion, becoming the only Ukrainian professional to continue her training within the country.
Oliynykova's journey is defined by displacement and resilience. Born in Kyiv in 2001, her family moved to Odesa when she was eight. Her family escaped to Croatia in 2011, when she was only 10, following her father's public condemnation of Viktor Yanukovych's presidency. Although the 2014 Revolution of Dignity allowed for a potential return to Ukraine, the family remained in Croatia, where Oliynykova eventually obtained citizenship. After moving to Odesa, her family sought refuge abroad following political unrest. This period of exile eventually led to her acquiring Croatian nationality.
Her professional ascent has been rapid. By late 2025, she had broken into the world's top 100, reaching world No. 95 on 24 November 2025 after winning the WTA 125 Copa Chile. Her momentum continued into 2026, where she achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 44 on 27 July 2026. During this period, she also made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open and debuted for the Ukraine Billie Jean King Cup team in April.
Despite the pressures of elite competition and the volatility of life in a war zone, her trophy cabinet has grown significantly. She has captured three singles titles on the WTA 125 circuit, plus ten singles and two doubles trophies on the ITF Women's World Tour. Her 2026 season saw her reach her first WTA Tour semifinal at the Transylvania Open, where she faced top seed Emma Raducanu. Her success extended to the clay courts, including a final appearance at the Antalya Challenger 2. She also secured a notable victory over Petra Martić at the Italian Open.
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