A semi-final match at the Australian Open drew major attention after world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina in straight sets, and the players did not exchange the traditional handshake at the net. The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about incidents of the tournament, often referred to online as the “Australian Open handshake row.”
Sabalenka secured a strong win to move into the final, controlling the match with aggressive baseline play and powerful serving. However, it was the post-match scene, rather than the scoreline, that dominated headlines and social media discussions.
What Happened in the Sabalenka vs Svitolina Semi-Final?
The match ended with Sabalenka winning in straight sets, showing clear dominance through most rallies. As the final point concluded, both players acknowledged each other from a distance but did not meet for a handshake at the net, a gesture that is normally routine in professional tennis.
Tournament officials and commentators noted that the absence of a handshake was not spontaneous drama but an expected outcome given the players’ positions and recent match precedents involving Ukrainian competitors.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus vs Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the semifinals of the Australian Open 🎾
Svitolina refuses to shake the hand of Sabalenka because of the Russo-Ukraine conflict & Belarus’s support for Russia.
In round 4, Svitolina refused to shake Russian Mirra… pic.twitter.com/poQSMy8OxE— Rahul SA 🇿🇦 (@Rahul_AJ_1990) January 29, 2026
Tough moment in tennis 🌍🎾
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka, who can’t represent Belarus and is playing under a neutral flag.pic.twitter.com/GtMEXssNNM— Khan (@ccricket713) January 29, 2026
Crowd reactions were mixed, with some applause and some visible confusion among viewers unfamiliar with the background.
Why There Was No Handshake
In recent seasons, several Ukrainian tennis players, including Svitolina, have chosen not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents due to the ongoing geopolitical conflict involving Ukraine. Sabalenka, who is Belarusian, falls within that category.
Because of this context, similar no-handshake finishes have occurred in multiple WTA and Grand Slam matches over the past few years. Event organisers sometimes inform spectators in advance to prevent misunderstandings or negative crowd reactions.
The choice is treated as a personal and political stance rather than a code-of-conduct violation.
Match Impact and Sabalenka’s Run
With the victory, Sabalenka advanced to another Australian Open final, continuing her dominant run in Melbourne. Her performance in the semi-final featured high first-serve percentages, quick point construction, and repeated pressure on Svitolina’s service games.
Analysts noted that Sabalenka kept rallies short and dictated tempo, preventing Svitolina from settling into defensive counter-punching patterns that had helped her earlier in the tournament.
Why the Moment Went Viral
Search interest surged around terms like “Sabalenka Svitolina handshake,” “Australian Open no handshake,” and “tennis semi final controversy.” The incident combined three high-interest elements: a Grand Slam semi-final result, a world No. 1 player advancing and a visible break from tennis tradition
For many casual viewers, it raised a simple question: why would players skip a handshake? For regular tennis followers, it reflects an ongoing pattern shaped by real-world tensions beyond sport.
The result sent Sabalenka into the final, but the post-match moment ensured the semi-final will be remembered for more than just tennis.
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