MELBOURNE — The Australian Open, renowned for its vibrant and passionate crowds, witnessed a moment of stark tension and audible disapproval on Sunday as the customary post-match handshake was refused following a contentious second-round clash between 16-year-old Russian phenom Mirra Andreeva and Ukrainian veteran Elina Svitolina.
The incident occurred after Andreeva, the World No. 47, mounted a stunning comeback to defeat the 19th-seeded Svitolina 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4. As Svitolina approached the net, Andreeva offered a brief tap of her racket but did not extend her hand. Svitolina, following a now-established practice for Ukrainian players against Russian and Belarusian opponents since the 2022 invasion, also did not offer her hand, walking directly to her chair.
The immediate and loud chorus of boos from sections of the Rod Laver Arena crowd appeared directed at Andreeva, though the precise target was unclear in the heated moment. The teenager later clarified her actions, stating she had simply followed Svitolina’s lead and the established protocol. "She doesn’t shake hands with Russians. I knew it. I was ready for it," Andreeva said.
A Protocol Born from Conflict
The backdrop to this non-handshake is the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian athletes, including Svitolina, have taken a firm stance of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian competitors, even as these players are allowed to compete as neutral athletes without national flags or anthems. This silent protest is a deeply personal symbol of solidarity with their homeland.
For Svitolina, a former World No. 3 who returned to the tour last year after giving birth, this policy is unwavering. She has consistently avoided the post-match handshake, instead offering a racket tap or a simple wave. The WTA has supported this position, stating players cannot be forced to breach their personal beliefs.
The crowd's reaction, however, highlighted a persistent point of confusion and tension in global tennis. Many fans, unfamiliar with the nuanced political backdrop or the pre-established understanding between players, interpret the snub purely as a breach of sportsmanship. This creates an uncomfortable atmosphere where a gesture of national mourning is met with public censure.
Andreeva's Composure Under Fire
Despite the hostile reception from parts of the crowd, Mirra Andreeva displayed remarkable poise for a teenager in her first Australian Open main draw. After securing the victory on her fourth match point, she celebrated modestly before the tense net encounter. In her post-match press conference, she addressed the booing directly, showing a maturity beyond her years.
"I was ready for it. I was expecting it, actually," Andreeva stated regarding the non-handshake. "I was a little bit surprised by the reaction of the crowd. I didn’t know that they would react this way. But, I mean, it is how it is."
Her performance on the court was equally impressive. After dropping a tight first-set tiebreak, Andreeva adjusted her tactics, using her variety and intelligent court positioning to disrupt Svitolina’s rhythm. Key elements of her comeback included:
- Increased use of the slice backhand to change pace.
- Strategic drop shots that exploited Svitolina's deep court position.
- Maintaining composure during critical break point opportunities.
Svitolina's Steadfast Stance
For Elina Svitolina, the loss was a painful sporting disappointment, but her principles remain non-negotiable. She has been one of the most vocal Ukrainian athletes, consistently calling for continued support for her country and maintaining her sporting boycott of Russian and Belarusian opponents. She did not comment extensively on the handshake incident post-match, focusing instead on her performance.
However, in previous tournaments, she has explained the rationale clearly. "I don’t shake hands. I don’t want to be involved in any kind of, you know, photo opportunity or anything like that," she said at Wimbledon 2023. "It’s just my position. I think it’s very clear and straightforward what I’m doing and why I’m doing it."
The emotional weight carried by Ukrainian players is immense. Svitolina’s husband, French tennis star Gaël Monfils, has spoken about the psychological toll, noting she often receives news of bombings and casualties in her hometown of Odesa just before taking to the court.
The Broader Tennis Landscape
The Andreeva-Svitolina incident is not isolated. Similar scenes have played out at Wimbledon, the US Open, and other WTA events over the past two years. Each occurrence reignites debate on the role of politics in sport, the limits of athlete protest, and the expectations of tradition-loving tennis crowds.
Tennis governing bodies (ATP, WTA, ITF) have walked a tightrope, attempting to balance a principled stance against the war with a commitment to individual athlete neutrality. Their policy has three main pillars:
- Russian and Belarusian players compete as neutral individuals.
- No national flags or symbols are displayed.
- Mandatory compliance with neutrality conditions.
This framework, however, does not govern personal interactions between players, leaving the handshake protocol in a gray area of personal conscience and public perception.
A Moment That Lingers
The boos that echoed in Rod Laver Arena will likely fade, but the symbolism of the refused handshake lingers. It serves as a potent, uncomfortable reminder that the world of elite sport does not exist in a vacuum. For Andreeva, it was an early lesson in the complex geopolitical shadows that can fall across a tennis court. For Svitolina, it was another moment of holding a line drawn by war.
The match itself was a spectacular display of tennis—a battle between youthful audacity and experienced grit. Andreeva’s victory catapults her further into the spotlight as one of the game’s most exciting prospects. Yet, the post-match drama underscores that in the current climate, the contest between Ukrainian players and Russian/Belarusian neutrals carries a significance that transcends forehands and backhands.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will return to tennis. But the incident has ensured that the conversation about war, solidarity, and sportsmanship will continue, both in the Melbourne Park corridors and in living rooms around the world, long after the final ball of the 2024 Australian Open is struck.