- Previously raised a stir by appearing to swear at Melbourne Park fans
An 18-year-old Russian star has been booed off court by Australian Open fans after seemingly refusing to shake hands with her Ukranian opponent, but later defended her actions.
Elina Svitolina booked her spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday after a convincing 6–2, 6–4 win over Russia’s Mirra Andreeva.
The Ukrainian world No.12 was in control throughout, overcoming the 18-year-old despite Andreeva entering the match as a slight favourite based on WTA rankings.
The result marks Svitolina’s fourth quarter-final appearance at Australian Open, extending her impressive Melbourne Park record to 33 wins from 45 matches.
However it was what happened next that caused controversy at Melbourne Park.
Andreeva refused to shake hands with Svitolina, instead rushing straight to the chair umpire before exiting the court.
Elina Svitolina celebrates reaching the Australian Open quarter finals by beating young Russian star Mirra Andreeva
Andreeva was booed by the Melbourne Park crowd after heading straight to the chair umpire rather than shaking hands with her rival
Andreeva previously courted controversy by appearing to swear at Australian Open fans, but this time she blew them kisses
The young Russian star was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd, but later said she was only respecting the wishes of Svitolina.
Svitolina has continued to decline post-match handshakes with players from Russia and Belarus as a personal stand against the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
The Ukrainian star has made her stance clear since 2022, saying it would be wrong to engage in traditional gestures while her country remains under attack and its soldiers are fighting on the front lines.
Svitolina has upheld this stance throughout the tournament circuit, including after matches against Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka.
Even when her decision has been met with boos from sections of the crowd, Svitolina has not wavered, remaining resolute in her position despite the backlash.
‘I was expecting a tough battle and lots of long rallies,’ she said after the match.
‘I was trying just to move my feet extremely well today and just trying to be really focused, finding the small holes in her game and to use them.’
Svitolina also revealed her husband and former professional tennis star Gael Monfils had advised her to be more ‘chill’ against her Russian opponent.
Svitolina was beaten by the young Russian last year but claimed revenge this time around to surge into the final eight
Svitolina’s husband and former ATP star Gael Monfils cut a nervous figure on the sidelines
‘I was not chill tonight,’ she said.
‘So he wouldn’t be happy.
‘But I think he might be happy with my win today.’
‘I’m not sure we’re going to see him for the next match, he might leave,’ she laughed.
‘It’s a nice moment that we spent on the court as well, so it is great to have him by my side.
It is not the first time that the young Russian has courted controversy at the Australian Open this year.
Andreeva sparked debate after footage appeared to show her saying either ‘f*** you all’ or ‘thank you all’ while acknowledging the crowd after her straight-sets victory over Maria Sakkari.
Fans were split on social media, with many insisting she swore, while others were convinced she was expressing gratitude.
Andreeva did not clarify the wording directly but later said the crowd was loud and she tried to block it out to stay focused.
