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You are here: Home / Sports / Australian Open: Svitolina’s Refusal to Shake Sabalenka’s Hand Betrays the Spirit of Sport

Australian Open: Svitolina’s Refusal to Shake Sabalenka’s Hand Betrays the Spirit of Sport

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Elina Svitolina’s refusal to shake Aryna Sabalenka’s hand at the Australian Open was widely praised as a righteous protest. But iPINIONS argues it crossed a line, undermining the spirit of sport and weakening, rather than strengthening, the moral case for Ukraine.

In tennis, as in diplomacy, grace can sometimes do more than gestures of defiance.

Australian Open Svitolina, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Alcaraz, Djokovic

See my full take on Substack:
https://ipinionsdaily.substack.com/p/australian-open-svitolinas-refusal

Anthony L. Hall

Legacy Note: With over 5,600 posts spanning 20 years, I am easily the most prolific blogger on the most eclectic array of topics on the web. That makes The iPINIONS Journal an unparalleled archive of informed political and cultural commentary. Visit the ARCHIVES section in the sidebar or search by topic. You won’t find a more consistent, independent voice on world affairs.

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Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Australian Open, Elina Svitolina, iPINIONS, Politics in Sports, Sportsmanship, tennis, Ukraine War

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Anthony L. Hall is the founding columnist of The iPINIONS Journal, where he’s published sharp, independent commentary on global affairs since 2005. Read more.

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