Ukrainian tennis star challenged by WTA over charity clothing
Ukrainian Oleksandra Oleinikova is participating in the Challenger in Florianopolis, Brazil. During her match against a Russian opponent, WTA officials forced her to change her outfit. This was due to a link on her attire promoting a fundraising campaign to support the Ukrainian army.
Oleksandra Oleinikova may not be the most popular among Ukrainian tennis players, but she has recently been in the spotlight due to a significant scandal that erupted before her first-round match at the Challenger in Brazil, which has been widely discussed by Ukrainian media.
The Ukrainian faced off against Russian Alevtina Ibragimova, whom she defeated 6-4, 6-0. However, it is the situation that arose, rather than the outcome of the match, that has attracted the most attention. Oleksandra Oleinikova's outfit displayed the website address drones4ua.org, which allows foreigners to support the Ukrainian army in purchasing equipment. The WTA ordered her to change her clothing.
They ordered the Ukrainian tennis player to change her attire. She was promoting a fundraiser for the army
Ukrainian sports websites have strongly engaged with the issue, calling the WTA's decision "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, advertising a bank or an expensive watch is allowed, but you cannot advertise a charity fundraiser for equipment, medicine, or vehicles for a country suffering from the deceitful, inhumane aggression of a neighbouring country (...) We decided to comply with the WTA's demands and temporarily removed the logo from Oleksandra's clothing. However, this does not mean we agree with the decision. We will take time to continue promoting this project without violating formal WTA rules. During the next tournament, you will see our response. We greet all fans, glory to Ukraine - they wrote.
In the second round of the Challenger, Oleksandra Oleinikova faced off against Maja Chwalińska. The Pole won the match 7-6(1), 6-1.
