Russian tennis star Mirra Andriejewa says she opposes war after Roland Garros win

Mirra Andriejewa, the 19‑year‑old Russian who became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam title since 2014, defeated Poland's Maja Chwalińska 6‑3, 6‑2 to claim the women's singles crown at Roland Garros in Paris. In the post‑match press conference she was asked about Russia’s war in Ukraine. Andriejewa replied that "no one in the world wants war" and emphasized that while she is on court she only thinks about playing and winning, not about political issues.

The interview highlighted the broader context in which Russian and Belarusian players now compete under a neutral flag after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a policy enforced by the sport’s governing bodies. Andriejewa’s comments sparked discussion among fans and journalists about the role of athletes in political debates.