Elina Svitolina refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka after the Australian Open semi-final, a moment that underlined the political backdrop to what was otherwise a high-quality contest on Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka won 6-2, 6-3 to reach a fourth straight Melbourne final, but the customary post-match handshake did not take place and organisers had displayed a notice ahead of the match saying there would be no handshake. The absence of the ritual reignited questions about how off-court tensions are continuing to shape sporting encounters.
The match in brief
Sabalenka controlled the contest from start to finish, winning in 77 minutes with a powerful display that produced 29 winners and few unforced errors. An early moment of controversy arrived when the chair umpire called a hindrance against Sabalenka for an audible grunt during a rally, awarding a point to Svitolina. Sabalenka reacted angrily to the decision but said afterwards the episode actually sharpened her focus and helped fuel her aggression.
Why there was no handshake
Svitolina has a well-documented stance about not shaking hands with players from Russia or Belarus while the war in Ukraine continues, a position she has reiterated in previous years. Ahead of the semi-final, tournament organisers displayed an on-court notice informing spectators that there would be no handshake after the match. After the defeat Svitolina walked directly off court without offering her hand; Sabalenka completed the formalities on her side but the ritual exchange between rivals did not occur.
Reactions & atmosphere
The decision not to shake hands drew a mixed response in the arena and online. Some observers framed Svitolina’s action as a personal and principled stand tied to the suffering in her home country, while others said sport should remain separate from geopolitics. Broadcasters and commentators referenced Svitolina’s prior statements and the organisers’ pre-match announcement to explain the absence of a handshake, and the moment dominated post-match conversation as much as the on-court action.
What the players said
Sabalenka focused on her performance and the match incident when speaking to media, saying the hindrance call “pissed [her] off” but also helped her raise intensity and close out the win. Svitolina did not use the post-match spotlight to expand publicly on the handshake matter; her refusal was consistent with comments she has made previously about the issue and with the decision to keep the ritual off the agenda for this specific match.
Why it matters beyond one match
This episode is another example of how geopolitical events can bleed into sport, particularly where athletes come from countries in conflict. Svitolina’s stance has been seen as an individual expression of solidarity with Ukraine and a protest against representatives of countries she views as linked to the aggression. For the tournament, the awkwardness of the exchange highlighted how organisers and players continue to navigate sensitive ground, balancing respect for athletes’ views with the traditions and etiquette of international competition.
