The 2026 Australian Open has once again become a battleground not just for points and titles, but for the lingering shadows of geopolitics that have haunted professional tennis since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In a dramatic fourth-round clash on Rod Laver Arena, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina defeated Russia’s Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-4, advancing to the quarterfinals. What followed, however, overshadowed the result: a pointed refusal—or perceived refusal—of the traditional post-match handshake, sparking boos from the crowd, heated online debates, and a sharp public rebuke from Svitolina that ignited widespread controversy.

The incident unfolded in the final moments of the match. As Svitolina sealed victory with a clinical performance, Andreeva, visibly frustrated after a double-fault on match point and earlier racquet-throwing outbursts, rushed straight to the chair umpire to shake hands before quickly exiting the court without approaching the net. The Melbourne crowd, interpreting this as a snub toward the victorious Ukrainian, erupted in boos directed at the 18-year-old Russian star. Social media exploded with accusations of poor sportsmanship, with some fans labeling Andreeva’s actions as disrespectful or arrogant.

In the immediate aftermath, Svitolina did not hold back in her on-court interview and subsequent press conference. Addressing the crowd and cameras, she delivered a pointed criticism that escalated the tension. “I respect the WTA rules—handshakes are part of the protocol, win or lose—but when someone walks off with such attitude, refusing even the basic courtesy, it shows a lack of respect not just to me, but to the sport and everything it stands for,” Svitolina said firmly. “She knew the situation. Everyone knows my stance on this.

If you’re going to make a statement by ignoring the tradition entirely, at least own it with some grace instead of storming off like that. A small gesture of sportsmanship could have gone a long way, but instead, we get this.”

Svitolina’s comments referenced her well-established personal policy since the war began: she has consistently refused to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players as a symbolic stand against the invasion of her homeland. This unwritten but widely understood protocol among Ukrainian athletes has been in place for years, with players like Marta Kostyuk and others following suit in various tournaments. Andreeva, competing under a neutral flag as per Grand Slam rules, was aware of this dynamic—commentators noted during the broadcast that she was “clearly respecting Svitolina’s position” by not forcing the issue.

Yet Svitolina’s public call-out framed Andreeva’s quick exit as arrogant and dismissive, suggesting it went beyond mere compliance with the no-handshake norm. “It’s not about forcing a handshake when it’s unwanted—it’s about the manner,” Svitolina elaborated in press. “Walking off like the match didn’t matter, like the opponent didn’t deserve even acknowledgment. That’s what stings. Tennis is bigger than politics, but when politics invades the court like this, we all lose.”

The WTA, under pressure from the rapid spread of the controversy online, issued a swift response. Officials reviewed the incident and handed Andreeva an immediate fine for unsportsmanlike conduct related to her on-court frustration (racquet abuse and demeanor), though no additional penalty was applied specifically for the handshake issue, as it aligned with the established precedent between Ukrainian and Russian/Belarusian players. The fine, combined with the public scrutiny, overwhelmed the young Russian. In her post-match press conference, Andreeva broke down in tears while attempting to explain her actions.

“I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful,” Andreeva said, her voice trembling. “I know Elina doesn’t shake hands with us—it’s been like that for years. I didn’t want to put her in an awkward position or make it seem like I was forcing anything. I just… I was upset about losing, about how I played on match point. I went to the umpire quickly because that’s what felt right in the moment. But hearing the boos, seeing how people thought I was being arrogant… it hurts. I’m only 18, and I love this sport.

I didn’t mean to start a war on the court.”

Her emotional explanation, however, only poured fuel on the fire. Supporters of Svitolina and Ukraine viewed it as deflection, arguing that Andreeva could have waited or handled the exit with more poise to avoid misinterpretation. Pro-Russian voices and neutral observers accused Svitolina of hypocrisy—enforcing a no-handshake rule herself while criticizing Andreeva for adapting to it—and politicizing a moment that could have been handled privately. Hashtags like #StandWithSvitolina, #AndreevaDisrespected, #TennisNotPolitics, and #HandShakeGate trended globally, dividing the tennis community.

The broader context amplifies the dispute. The ongoing war has created a rift in tennis that refuses to heal. Russian and Belarusian players compete as neutrals, barred from certain events like the Olympics under their flags, while Ukrainian athletes continue to use matches as platforms for solidarity and awareness. Previous incidents—such as Oleksandra Oliynykova’s renewed calls for bans on Russian and Belarusian players earlier in the tournament—had already heightened sensitivities. Andreeva herself faced scrutiny earlier in the fortnight over ambiguous crowd interactions, adding to perceptions of her as a lightning rod for controversy.

Commentators and analysts weighed in heavily. Nine’s James Bracey explained during coverage: “This is a misunderstanding by the crowd. Mirra was respecting the protocol Svitolina has set. But the way it was executed—rushing off—left room for interpretation, and that’s where the tension lies.” BBC pundits echoed that the crowd’s boos were unfortunate but understandable without full context, while calling for better education on such nuances to prevent escalation.

For Svitolina, the win extended her momentum after capturing the Auckland title, setting up a quarterfinal against Coco Gauff. Yet the post-match drama overshadowed her achievement. “I’m proud to win, proud to represent Ukraine,” she said. “But these moments remind us why we fight—not just on court, but for respect and humanity.”

Andreeva, meanwhile, left Melbourne under a cloud, her potential as a top player undeniable but now intertwined with political baggage. At just 18, she faces questions about maturity and handling pressure in a polarized sport.

This episode underscores tennis’s struggle to remain apolitical amid global conflict. The no-handshake protocol, born of real pain and principle, has become a flashpoint where intent, perception, and protocol collide. As the Australian Open continues, the sport must confront whether such divisions can ever fully recede from the court—or if they will define its future as much as any forehand or serve.

The controversy has sparked calls for clearer guidelines from the WTA and Grand Slams: perhaps mandatory announcements before matches involving Ukrainian and Russian/Belarusian players, or even rethinking the handshake tradition entirely in these contexts. Until then, moments like this ensure that tennis remains as much a reflection of the world as an escape from it.