Aryna Sabalenka Gets Real on Elina Svitolina’s No Handshake Policy at the Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka has reached her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
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Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina (via X/The Tennis Letter)
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If the fans tuned into the Australian Open semi-final expecting drama, they got it, but maybe not in the explosive way they thought. The match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina was high-octane tennis, sure, but the air in the stadium was thick with something else entirely: anticipation for what would happen after the final point.
Everyone has seen the headlines over the last few years. The war in Ukraine has rippled out into every corner of culture, and professional tennis hasn’t been immune. But this time, things were handled differently. In the press conference afterward, Sabalenka was candid about the situation. She didn’t dodge the awkwardness, but she didn’t fuel the fire either:
I don’t focus on that. She’s been doing it for so long that, well, it’s nothing… it’s her decision, and I respect it. I say that now and in the on-court interview, and I think she knows I respect her as a player. I know she respects me as a player. That’s all that matters to me. As for the lack of a handshake, that’s her decision. I respect it. I didn’t say anything after the match point. I just thanked the umpire, and that was it.
Instead of approaching the net for a handshake that wasn’t coming, Sabalenka simply looked toward Svitolina and applauded. It was a gesture of professional respect acknowledging a tough opponent without crossing the personal boundaries Svitolina has set.
Aryna Sabalenka storms through to the final
Amid the political tension, there was a match to be played. And frankly, Aryna Sabalenka didn’t leave much room for doubt.
The World No. 1 came out swinging. Known for her aggressive baseline game, the Belarusian dismantled the Ukrainian No. 12 seed with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
This victory propelled her into her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, cementing her status as the dominant force on hard courts right now. She lost the final last year to Madison Keys in three sets.
While Svitolina has been on an incredible run (especially considering her comeback journey from motherhood), she simply couldn’t find an answer for the sheer power coming from the other side of the net. But as the match point landed, the crowd’s attention shifted instantly from the score to the net.
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka?
With the semi-final drama behind her, the focus for Aryna Sabalenka shifts entirely to the trophy. She is looking to regain her Australian Open title and add another Grand Slam to her resume. If this match was any indication, she has the mental fortitude to block out the noise and focus on the ball.
As for Elina Svitolina, she leaves Melbourne with her head high. She remains a fierce competitor and a vocal advocate for her country, earning respect for her resilience on and off the court. However, she has yet to get past the semifinals in Grand Slams, losing all four of those matches in her career.
The “non-handshake” might be what grabbed the headlines, but the real story here is two incredible athletes navigating an impossible situation with as much grace as the world allows.
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