Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova serves to Madison Keys

Melbourne (AFP) - Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova lost to reigning champion Madison Keys on Tuesday at the Australian Open but said making her soldier father’s dream come true was more important than the result.

The 92nd-ranked player gave Keys an almighty fright on Rod Laver Arena before heroically losing 7-6 (⁸⁄₆), 6-1 in the biggest match of her life.

The 25-year-old, who sported temporary tattoos on her face, wore a white T-shirt to her post-match press conference referencing the plight of her homeland.

“I need your help to protect Ukrainian children and women,” it said.

“But I can’t talk about it here.”

Oliynykova, who led 6-4 in the first-set tiebreak as she threatened a massive shock on her Grand Slam debut, previously represented Croatia.

Her parents were political refugees but her heart was always in Ukraine and she now proudly represents the country.

Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still trains back home despite the constant threat of Russian attacks.

Just before she came to Australia, the Kyiv native came close to being hit in one such incursion.

“There was an explosion just near my home and a drone hit the home just across the road,” she said.

“My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion.”

Oliynykova’s father is serving in the Ukrainian military and he is never far from her mind.

He used to travel with her to tournaments and she called him “my biggest support since my childhood in everything”.

“I know it was his dream to see me on this court,” said Oliynykova, who had been in touch with her father by text message.

“I will do everything to make him even more proud. I made his dream come true.”

Oliynykova said performing on one of tennis’s biggest stages was something she will always savour.

“For me it’s the best experience in my career,” she said, having been all smiles immediately after the defeat.

“It’s something that I’ll remember until the end of my life.”