AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2026

Oleksandra Oliynykova

Press Conference

M. KEYS/O. OLIYNYKOVA

7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Oleksandra, an amazing experience for you on Rod Laver arena today. Just talk through how it felt and how much you enjoyed it.

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: For me it's the best experience in my career. I never played before -- actually, I never played even 250 main draw, and I never played on a big arena.

To get this experience, it's something that I'll remember for the end of my life.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. To then find yourself 4-Love up, what were you thinking at that point in the first set?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: I think my mind was actually more clear. I think when I was 4-Love up, I started to think more.

It's normal when you don't have experience and it's so many people and you hear someone screaming my name, someone screaming her name. And then it's nice atmosphere, but sometimes you start to think too much.

When I started my game, I was feeling everything perfectly. Then I think in one moment -- I mean, it's about my opponent, because her game is amazing, but also, in some moments I think I overplayed myself, because I had an advantage.

If I would be more experienced, I don't know if I would be able to win, but I'm sure I would be able to use it better.

Q. You have a very unique kind of game style. I'm just wondering if it's been easy to own it, to keep playing like this, despite, I'm sure, people telling you, Why are you doing that?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Oh, yes. Actually, yeah, many people since I started my pro year career, I was hearing that I will not be in top 1000, then in top 500, in top 300, and in top 100. All these people telling me that I won't be able to progress with this game style.

But, actually, you know, my idea is to do my "weird" things on court, but to be the best player with this type of game.

I mean, I saw today that even for the best -- one of the best player in the world, it could be really uncomfortable. So, yeah, I will probably keep improving to be even better in this and not typical game style. I say it's possible.

Q. Obviously now you're really happy, and you have really enjoyed your experience, and you were showing heart to the crowd and all of that. I'm curious, some players in your position where they're a lower-seeded player, may come in and be a little disappointed. Where is the pride and happiness coming from?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Because, I mean, I think it's not always about winning or losing. It's, like, I think it's not good in the sport that we are putting too much pressure on the athlete depending only the results, because when you are playing great tennis, you are playing against great opponents, you see high sportsmanship from both sides, you see very kind fans, you know, who is cheering for both.

We need to enjoy this moment. I cannot be disappointed, because for me, I try to see sport more than just result. It's also something what's motivating me, because actually, if I will be thinking only about the result and that's it, I think I wouldn't be on this level, because it's, for me, the whole experience. It's more important.

Q. I also wanted to ask you about your tattoos on your face. Is it a tattoo? Is it paint? What's the meaning? What does it stand for?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: No, it's the temporary tattoos. It's temporary tattoos. I take them off after the match with, like, cleansing oil.

And it doesn't have meaning, because I just got some fun idea at the US Open. I was going shopping, and I saw this, like, face tattoo, these fake tattoos. Then I started to change them.

I played with stars, with hearts, now it's flowers. Yeah, it's part of the style. Maybe you saw it was matching the outfit and the court, as well. Blue dress, blue flowers, blue court (laughing).

Q. The end of the first set where you had 6-4 in the tiebreak, obviously Madison hit, like, four amazing winners in a row, but I'm wondering, was there a particular point where maybe you think you could have put her under a bit more pressure, or just too good on all of them?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: I think, yeah, I have, like, some ideas. Then maybe if I would try to enter the point on the first set point with the first serve, because I think I took too much risk, and maybe next time I will have some better idea.

But, again, when you play against Madison Keys, you need to risk sometimes, because I think everybody saw that her return is perfect.

Yeah, I don't know, maybe I could. Now I try to, you know, think was it possible or not, but I mean, it's still so many things on her because she's amazing player.

Q. Is it right that you represented Croatia for a while and now back to Ukraine?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Yeah, I represented Croatia, because I lived in Croatia for many years. When I came there, I came as a political refugee. My parents, they were political refugees.

The kids tournaments, if you are not playing the tournaments inside the country, then you have no ranking for international tournaments, because Under-12, this is the system how it works. You get into the tournament by national ranking.

That's how this decision came, but I never identified myself as Croat. So, yeah, I love Croatia, but for me it's important to play for my country.

Q. I wanted to ask about your shirt, the decision to wear it. What's it like to have your father serving for Ukraine in this period?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Yes, my father, he's a soldier. For me, I mean, I'm alone here, and before I was traveling with him. My father is my biggest support since my childhood in everything.

Yeah, but I'm so proud of him. Actually, this is something what keeping me motivated even more. After he joined the military, I did progress for over 200 position, because I know it was his dream to see me on this court.

Yeah, I cannot explain this feelings, but when you are in this situation, you can, you know, put that priorities in your life. I will do everything to make him even more proud.

When he told me that it was amazing match, he just texted me, and yeah, I made his dream come true in such a situation. What could be more? What could be biggest motivation? I cannot imagine this.

Q. Your shirt and the importance of kind of putting this message out using your platform...

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Yes, I have a message, but it's very straight, because we need your help. I would like to share the way people can help Ukrainians, but we will need -- if you want to ask me about this, we will need to do it outside of the tournament press. It's very important part.

Yeah, I really know and can share how people can help to protect our civilians, our kids, to protect me specifically, because I'm practicing in Ukraine. I did preparation for this tournament in Ukraine, and during the preparation, I was hearing the explosion. There was a couple of massive attacks last night I spent in Ukraine before the trip here.

There was explosion just near my home, and a drone hitted the home just across the road. My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion. Yeah, I know how people can help to protect Ukrainians, to protect them against these drones, but we will need to speak outside about this.

Q. Important message from Ukraine. The winter Olympics is coming in February in Milano Cortina. Do you think also it's important for Olympians to share the message to the press during the Olympics? Do you know any of the winter Olympians that representing Ukraine?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: Actually, I'm not watching a lot of sport. I don't watch a lot of tennis, actually. So, yeah, I don't know a lot of winter Olympians, for sure.

Yeah, of course it's important. Every competition is important, every opportunity to say something about Ukraine, because you know, it's sad, because this war is very long, and I think people are losing the attention after so many years.

But now in Ukraine we don't have electricity. In my apartment, I have no electricity, no water, no heat. That's what's going on. Every opportunity to say about this, I believe it's very important. And, of course, Olympics, it's Olympics. What can I say more?

Q. How was it to feel the crowd enjoying the way you were playing?

OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA: I hope so. I hope so. I enjoyed to play for the public, for all the crowd, for all the people. I mean, for me it's also a little bit kind of positive shock.

It's so many emotions, but I really hope. I hope they liked my game. Yeah, I want to come back and to play for them again.