Elina Svitolina sparked controversy after refusing to shake Elina Avanesyan’s hand (Image: Getty)

Tennis star Elina Svitolina has been subject to heavy criticism after refusing to shake hands with Elina Avanesyan at the Monterrey Open. The Ukrainian, 29, defeated the Russian-born player in the Round of 16 on Thursday in straight sets (6-4 6-3).

Following her victory, Svitolina rejected the customary post-match handshake, instead only shaking the hand of the umpire before returning to her seat, wholly ignoring her opponent. Svitolina – who is married to fellow tennis ace Gael Monfils – has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players since the Ukraine – Russia war was sparked in February 2022.

Furore surrounding the rejection of a handshake is due to Avanesyan now representing Armenia rather than the country of her birth with Svitolina’s antics not sitting well with tennis fans who made their anger known on social media. One X user wrote: “It’s just petulant because it achieves nothing except negative headlines.”

A second user commented: “I sincerely urge you to change your attitude towards Russian players.. they are not responsible for Putin’s actions… if you be friends with them… who knows they might influence Putin to stop the war!!

A third simply pointed out: “Avanesyan isn’t even playing for Russia.” Svitolina previously provided an explanation for her actions, telling The Independent: “It started with the Ukrainian Government that went to the meetings with the Russian Government.

“They [ Ukraine ] were against shaking the hands because they’re not sharing the same values, obviously, and what the Russians are doing to our country. We are Ukrainians, all united for one goal of winning this war. We do anything that is required. I am Ukrainian.

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She added: “I am standing for my country, doing anything possible to support men and women who are right now on the front line fighting for our land, our country. Can you imagine the guy or girl in the front line looking at me and I am acting like nothing is happening?”

Svitolina’s actions made headlines last year when she refused to shake hands with the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated the Ukrainian in the quarter-final of the French Open. The two-time Grand Slam champion spoke out against the boos towards her opponent when she said: “I think she didn’t deserve all these boos.”