Elina Svitolina calls for ‘clear message’ from tennis chiefs after Wimbledon boos

Elina Svitolina has urged tennis authorities to make an official statement with regards to Ukrainian players’ decision not take shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players following the latest booing controversy.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of their home country in February last year, Svitolina and other Ukrainian players have adopted a no-handshake policy with players from Russia and Belarus (who has provided military support to Moscow).

She stuck to her guns in the fourth round at Wimbledon on Sunday when she defeated former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11-9), although there was a gesture between the pair once the match was over.

However, Azarenka was booed by the crowd as she left No.1 Court and it was unclear if fans, who were pretty vocal in their support of Svitolina throughout their match, thought the Belarusian was the one who snubbed the handshake.

Azarenka slammed the crowd during her post-match press conference, saying they were “drunk” and “not fair”.

The roles were reversed at Roland Garros just over a month ago when Svitolina was booed for refusing to shake hands with world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus and the Ukrainian believes it is time that the tennis powers that be get involved.

“I got the same. I got the same in Paris. I played three matches in Paris in this way. Today, as well,” she said.

“For me personally, I think the tennis organisations, they 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. Some people not really know what is happening. So I think this is the right way to do.”

The 28-year-old added: “I think the right thing to do is to come out. I already said multiple times that until Russian troops are out of Ukraine and we take back our territories, not going to shake hands. So I have clear statement.

“I don’t know how more clear I can be.”

When asked if it was unfair on her opponent, she replied: “Well, it was like this in Paris. It also was unfair for me in Paris quarter-final.”

The Ukrainian added: “As I mentioned, each player that loses, and there is no handshake, it’s getting booed I feel like.

“So I don’t know. If today would be a different reaction if I would lose, I don’t know. I cannot really answer this question.

“In Paris it was like this. I had unbelievable support for other matches. But in quarter-final, I got booed off the court.

“I don’t know (smiling).”