Ukrainian Tennis Star Elina Svitolina Sparks Controversy with Disrespectful Handshake Refusal at WTA Monterrey Tournament

The WTA-500 series tournament has ended in Monterrey, Mexico. And although Elina Svitolina of Ukraine lost in the quarterfinals to the future champion Linda Noskova from the Czech Republic, she became the author of the worst act of the tournament.

Another demarche of neighbors

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina is ranked 28th in the WTA ranking, and her name is Elina Avanesyan 51st. The second match ended surprisingly with a victory for Svitolina – 6:4,6:3. But after the game, the Ukrainians refused to shake hands with Avanesyan. Like she didn’t notice her rival.

Such disrespectful actions have long been common for Ukrainian tennis players. Someone deliberately avoids greeting the Russians, even the former ones, as in this case. Others may dislike their Russian rivals but fear impunity or even persecution in Ukraine.

Svitolina belongs to the first category. The French wife of Gaël Monfils seems to enjoy humiliating her rivals. Neither the nationality of her opponent nor her position is important to her. And the refusal to shake hands with Avanesyan artfully confirms this.

International officials dance to the tune of Ukraine

International federations have struggled for some time with such disrespect from Ukrainian athletes. After all, shaking hands is provided by the rules of many international competitions. At last year’s World Fencing Championships, Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan was disqualified for challenging a prominent Anna Smirnova. However, powerful pressure was placed on the International Fencing Federation. As a result, the FIE suspended Harlan’s disqualification, and IOC President Thomas Bach issued her a personal invitation to the Olympics in Paris, where Olga won gold in the saber team competition .

Olga Kharlan and Anna Smirnova / Photo: © Tadashi Miyamoto / AFLO / Global Look Press

By pardoning Ukrainians for violating ethical and regulatory standards, foreign officials have opened Pandora’s box. The discontent of Ukrainian athletes now extends not only to the Russians. And no one pays attention to it. Ukrainians can do anything. So Svitolina’s action will remain unpunished. But if someone showed such respect to Elina, there would be an uproar across the internet.

And for Elina Avanesyan this is a lesson. Even a change in sports citizenship does not protect against such political things. Although, if you look at it, do Russian athletes really need these handshakes?