Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova has no mental bandwidth left for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics as she struggles with her tennis career and the Russian war on her homeland.

 “Every competition is important, every opportunity to say something about

Ukraine..” she said after challenging Australian Open holder Madison Keys before taking a 7-6 (6), 6-1 loss.

The daughter of a soldier fighting the war takes the opportunity to spread the word about her beleaguered country at any and every opportunity

“It’s sad, because this war (from February, 2022) 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?”

The 25-year-old put out a plea for 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. 

“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 explosion just near my home, and a drone hitted the home just across the road. My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion.”

Main photo:-Oleksandra Oliynykova – by Jimmie48/WTA

Novak Djokovic is aiming to keep his top form for a few more seasons, with the Serb dreaming of a career finale at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The former world No. 1 Serb who will start his 2026 season in Adelaide prior to the January 18 start of the Australian Open, told a sports conference in Dubai of his master plan.

“I do want to keep on going,” the 38-year-old said. “I’ve said LA Olympics, 2028, is kind of a guiding star, but honestly, there’s no limit. So let’s see…

“I just keep going. I love hitting the tennis ball, and I love competing. I was saying to the guys that I was talking to, the greats in football, that it’s really about passion and love.

“As long as you really feel like you’re playing on a high level and your body holds on, why not?”

The winner of 24 Grand Slam singles titles has not owned a major in two years (2023 US Open) and notched trophies last season at 250 events in Geneva and Athens.

In a Tour now dominated by young guns Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the veteran is having his troubles in keeping up.

He managed semi-finals of all four Slams in 2025 and claimed a 100th career title with his Geneva success last May, one of only 13 events he played last season.

Novak Djokovic may be bypassing the ATP Finals this week, but that doesn’t mean that the 38-year-old might be closer to calling time on his record-setting career.

After winning the weekend title in his new home base of Athens – at an event owned and run by himself and his family – the 24-time Grand Slam winner dropped the hint that he hopes to stay in the mix until the 2028 Olympics.

Djoko won the gold medal at the Paris Games and indicated that he wanted to defend Serb colours in the Los Angeles in just over two and a half years.

“I’ve always had this throughout my life and my career, I’ve always had a schedule in my head for a year or more, what I want, how I want it,” he said.

“Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag, that would be nice.”

But the winner of 101 career titles said that his future fitness will eventually be the deciding factor..

“I really don’t know, because there are some things that are not entirely in my control. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible mentally and physically.”

Djokovic qualified long ago into the eight-man Finals field in Turin but opted not to take his place. That handed the eighth spot to his defeated Athens final opponent Lorenzo Musetti of Italy

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic winning his “home” tournament in Athens