Just months after cricket was rocked by controversy following India’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistan players in international tournaments, a similar storm has now hit tennis at the Australian Open 2026. The issue surfaced during the high-profile women’s singles semi-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, drawing global attention.
Sabalenka advanced to her fourth consecutive Australian Open final after defeating Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena, setting up a summit clash against Elena Rybakina. However, the focus quickly shifted from the tennis to the absence of a pre-match handshake. Spectators were informed via the stadium’s big screen that the customary handshake would not take place — a rare announcement for a Grand Slam semi-final.
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Svitolina, who represents Ukraine, has consistently refused handshakes with Russian and Belarusian players since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. Sabalenka, who hails from Belarus, currently competes as a neutral athlete, as players from Belarus and Russia are barred from playing under their national flags.
The tension was evident during the match, with brief exchanges involving the chair umpire adding to the charged atmosphere. After the match, Svitolina reiterated her stance, emphasising the hardships faced by people in Ukraine and her responsibility to use her platform to represent them.
While such refusals have become familiar on the tour, the incident’s timing and stage — a Grand Slam semi-final — pushed the debate into the global spotlight, once again highlighting how geopolitical tensions continue to spill into international sport.
