Not a gesture or even a look. After the match point won against the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (6-2, 6-3), Thursday during the first semi-final of the women’s draw of the Australian Open tennis tournament, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka went directly to the referee of the match to shake her hand.
The world number 1 knew that there was no point in waiting for her opponent at the net as tradition dictates. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, almost four years ago, Svitolina and her Ukrainian compatriots, like Marta Kostyuk, have refused to shake the hand of their Russian or Belarusian adversary.
An absence of protocol which was planned even before the start of the meeting. Spectators had also been informed since the organizers of the Australian Grand Slam had warned spectators in advance, with a surprising – but perhaps necessary – message displayed on the screens of the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
“At the end of the match, the players will not shake hands. We thank you for respecting the two athletes during and after the meeting,” requested the tournament organizers.
A precaution taken when the absence of greetings between the players is often a source of discomfort or controversy in the stands. In 2023, at Roland-Garros, the Ukrainian was booed by the public after her refusal to greet the Belarusian. “I don’t know why she was waiting,” Svitolina said afterwards. My statements were very clear in relation to the handshake. »
