Chaos crept in before a ball was even kicked at Rod Laver Arena. As the women’s singles semi-finals at the Australian Open unfolded, the tension between Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenkova was evident even before the first serve.
Moments before the match, Sabalenka, the world number one, stepped out for the usual pre-match photo with a child with a ball. However, Svitolina decided not to join her. When the two players later approached the net, there was not even a handshake. The absences were striking, but not unexpected, given the backdrop of matches between Ukrainian players and their Russian or Belarusian counterparts from 2022 onwards.
Australian Open 2026 Semi-Finals: Update
Why did Svitolina shake hands with Sabalenko?
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Belarus played a role in the conflict, such matches have significance far beyond tennis. Handshakes have largely disappeared from such encounters, and Svitolina has been one of the most vocal players on tour to speak openly about the emotional loss and the statement she believes the gestures are meant to convey.
The semi-finals of the Australian Open followed a familiar scenario. There was no handshake at the net and no moment together for the cameras. The tension was unmistakable with the feeling that the match had started long before either player touched the ball.
Tension spilled over into the match
The tension did not stop even with the pre-match moments. It spilled over into the match itself. At one point, Sabalenka was pulled over by the referee for obstruction after making noise during a rally. The official said the sound came mid-point, not as part of her usual grunting. Clearly unhappy, Sabalenka challenged the decision and asked for video reviews, briefly halting play and adding to the tense mood on court.
Meanwhile, Svitolina reached the semifinals the harder way. The 12th seed battled through the draw with her typical grit, relying on crisp movement, solid defense and a dismissive attitude to continue her pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title.
Waiting for her, however, was a tough familiar opponent. Sabalenka had the upper hand in their rivalry, winning five of six matches, including the last four in a row. That lopsided record only highlighted how much of a challenge it was for Svitolina under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
January 29, 2026