Tennis fans were surprised ahead of Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina’s semi-final at the Australian Open when both players took their traditional pre-match photo separately. This was before Australian Open officials made an announcement the pair would not shake hands after the match to avoid confusion from the crowd.
Sabalenka was way too good for opponent Svitolina in the semi-final having blasted her opponent off court with some brutal groundstrokes. But before a ball was struck, fans were surprised when Ukrainian Svitolina took a separate photo with the ball kid to Belarusian Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina took their traditional pre-match photo with a young fan separately, while the Australian Open issued a rare warning the the pair wouldn’t shake hands after the semi-final. (Images: Channel Nine/Getty Images)
Svitolina does not shake hands with opponents from Russia or Belarus due to the ongoing conflict occurring in her home country. The Ukrainian tennis star has been vocal about her country’s struggles and has donated prize money to children caught up in the conflict.
And Svitolina and Sabalenka took separate photos with the young fan during the Australian Open pre-game tradition to avoid any issues. This was still a nice gesture for the young fan who was still able to pose with the two tennis superstars.
Following the decision not to take photos together, Australian Open officials also made the call to warn fans the opponents would not shake hands at the conclusion of the match. Ukrainians not shaking hands with opponents from Russia or Belarus is not unusual since the start of the conflict.
However, the warning is somewhat a rare move from a tournament in the middle of a match. And tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg posted a photo of the warning with Aus Open officials clearly wanting to pre-warn the crowd. This could be done to avoid any confusion to why there will be no handshake and stop an unwarranted reaction.
Elina Svitolina addresses conflict in Ukraine
Svitolina was upbeat after the defeat and praised the families at home doing it tough as inspiration. “I feel like I should not be allowed to be sad. I have this amazing opportunity to play on centre court here, represent my country, to do it in a decent way, and to have an opportunity to use my words and just be there for my people,” she said in her press conference.
“I feel like for the past weeks, they have been really carrying me through with great emotions. I cannot complain. People are living a horrible and terrifying life in Ukraine. I should not be allowed to really be sad, because I’m a very lucky person.”
Elina Svitolina (pictured far left) and Aryna Sabalenka (pictured far right) both took pictures with the fan separately at the Australian Open. (Images: Getty Images)
Aryna Sabalenka lifts lid on handshake decision
Sabalenka addressed Svitolina’s decision to avoid a handshake and said she respected the decision. “I’m not focusing on that. They have been doing it for so long, so, like… it’s their decision, and I respect that,” Sabalenka said after the match. “I think she knows that I respect her as a player. I know that she respects me as a player. That’s all I care (about).”
Sabalenka will now take on Elina Rybakina in the Australian Open final on Saturday. Rybakina also progressed after defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka (pictured) advanced to the Australian Open final.
(Robert Prange via Getty Images)