The 25-year-old Ukrainian player now ranks 90th in the world.
She highlighted WTA leadership attempts to remain “outside politics” amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
“When you try to do something meaningful, even reminding people about the war creates problems for organizations because they want to present a picture in which everything is fine," Oliynykova said.
"Everything is great, we are outside politics, we just came here to play tennis — and that sells better.”
“But by doing that, they allow in real Putin supporters — people who support genocide, who support the war, who are absolutely terrible. And WTA allows them to earn money, which they later convert into killing civilians in Ukraine. They use their visibility to help spread Putin’s propaganda," she added.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what words to use anymore. I tried for a long time. Now I say directly: ‘Okay, for me this is the same as if you allowed Hitler’s supporters.’ And then they immediately respond: ‘No, no, absolutely not,’ and start justifying themselves.”
She stressed that she is also struck by what she called indifference toward Ukrainians.
“Human suffering is horrible, war and genocide are tragedies. But when it concerns Ukrainians, people seem able to close their eyes. And that is very, very hard to live with.”
Oliinykova recalled several emotional moments from tournaments in which she managed to achieve success.
“This season, which was extremely successful, I still had a serious depressive episode," she shared.
"After my first Grand Slam tournament, I had a real nervous breakdown. When I returned from Wimbledon — my first Grand Slam — I couldn’t calm down, I cried for two days. I was in hysterics because it was something I had worked toward for so long. And I would never have reached this result without my dad.”
She said she always thinks about her father when she goes onto the court.
“I arrive at this incredible event. I see those Russians, and I understand they are people who support the war, who support killings," Oliynykova highlighted.
"And at the same time, I realize that my father cannot be at one of the most important moments of my life — something he invested enormous effort in — because he is forced to defend the country from people like them. I see this, and the injustice just destroys me inside. That feeling stayed with me for a long time. I even managed to win a tournament, but only because I learned to separate it when I stepped onto the court. Because I still love the game.”
Oliinykova admitted that she feels intense anger toward Russian players.
“I try to separate this too, but my feelings toward them are very simple," she confessed.
"I believe their place is only in hell — and nowhere else. That is my clear position. Unfortunately, I cannot kill them right at a tennis tournament.”