Svitolina calls for handshake ban with the ‘enemy’

Victorious Elina Svitolina has continued the tennis cold war with “enemy” players from Russia and Belarus, with the Wimbledon quarter-finalist calling for normalising the post-match, no-handshake policy followed by her compatriots.

Svitolina got cheers from Court No. 1 fans on Sunday after she beat US-based Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, whose image among some has taken a dive with her country aiding Russia in the struggling invasion of Ukraine.

Svitolina, who was jeered by Roland Garros crowds when she walked off court a quarter-final loser to second-seeded Belarus player Aryna Sabalenka, was the crowd heroine at Wimbledon.

It was two-time Grand Slam winner Azarenka who was jeered in SW19 in the latest episode.

With Yurkainians refusing for months to shake hands under the circumstances, Svitolina wants the practice to be formalised so as to prevent further ugly scenes.

“I played three matches in Paris in this way,” she said.

“I think the tennis organizations have to come out with a statement that there will be no handshake between Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian players.

“I don’t know if it’s maybe not clear for people.”

She added: “Some people not really know what is happening. So I think this is the right way to do.

“it was like this in Paris. It also was unfair for me in the Paris quarter-final.”