Ukraine’s women: ‘A great inspiration for the younger generation’ – Roland-Garros 2026

Their resilience shows in other ways, too. Oliynykova remains, she believes, the only professional player currently living and training inside Ukraine, and her father serves in the war effort. He recently took leave from the military to watch her compete live for the first time in years. And then there is Starodubtseva, who delivered the week’s signature upset, knocking out world No.2 and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina in the second round, for whom overcoming adversity was always something of a habit.

Turning pro proved too expensive in her teens, so she elected to study in the United States for five years. She has not been back to Ukraine since war broke out, with her hometown occupied by Russian troops, but finds this wave of success is sparking joy in her from the inside.

“Us winning reminds everyone what is going on back at our home too,” she said.

“I actually find it’s so cool how Ukrainian girls … are doing so well. I think it’s really, really cool how it’s like so many Ukrainians playing a final, winning a tournament. Like you see Ukrainian on WTA, Instagram every time. I find it really cool. It’s inspiring.”