French Open star who went viral for face tattoos launches furious press conference rant Oleksandra Oliynykova used her first-round press conference at the French Open to deliver a passionate critique of Russian players on the tour, following her historic Grand Slam main-draw victory over Russian qualifier Elena Pridankina. The world No. 65, who earned her first Grand Slam win on Tuesday, accused fellow players of “participating in propaganda” and called for greater awareness of the war in Ukraine. Her remarks came after a dramatic moment during her match, where she raised the Ukrainian flag and shared a heartfelt moment with her father, who was courtside for the occasion. Oliynykova, 25, has become a prominent figure in tennis for her bold on-court fashion choices, including face tattoos and temporary stickers that often match her kit. Her unique style first gained attention at the 2025 Australian Open, where she made her Grand Slam debut against champion Madison Keys. The Ukrainian player’s striking appearance and outspoken nature have made her a media favorite, but her recent press conference marked a significant shift in her public persona. The tournament marked a milestone for Oliynykova, who fled Ukraine with her family in 2011 at age 10. Her father, Denis, remains in Kyiv and serves in the Ukrainian army. Oliynykova has consistently used her platform to speak about the war, including during her post-match interview after her French Open victory. “It’s very important for me, my father saw my first Grand Slam win in real life,” she said, describing the emotional moment when she presented the Ukrainian flag to her father. “This is very special, and my first match, I’m going to win it only once, and I’m very happy.#ukraine #french_open #oleksandra_olinykovna #denis_olinykovna #russian_players
