Honored trainer of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova welcomed the remarks made by Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina regarding whether athletes should extend a handshake to Russian competitors. Tarasova expressed cautious commentary on the matter, suggesting that if such a stance were officially announced, it could be assessed, but she personally believed there would be little public reaction and that fear may have driven the initial statement, noting that athletes often worry about the repercussions of crossing political lines.
Svitolina has called for a formal position from major tennis bodies stating that Ukrainian players should not shake hands with athletes from Russia or Belarus. Her request signals a broader debate about conduct on the court and the role of sports in political tensions that have surrounded the sport in recent years.
In recent matchups, Svitolina faced Belarusian opponent Victoria Azarenka, with the two athletes not exchanging handshakes after the contest, a moment many observers interpreted as reflecting the prevailing sentiments within the sport at that time.
The global tennis calendar included Wimbledon, which commenced in early July and was scheduled to run through mid-July. The tournament featured a substantial prize fund, underscoring its prestige as one of the sport’s flagship events and a major financial incentive for players worldwide.
Wimbledon’s 2022 champions were Elena Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, and Novak Djokovic from Serbia, highlighting a season that showcased a wide range of international talent and compelling storylines across the draw. The event in the prior year saw the absence of players from Russia due to participation suspensions, a decision that affected the competitive field and the dynamics of the tournament.
Earlier coverage also noted intervals in the progress of rising Russian players, including Mirra Andreeva, a young competitor who advanced to the fourth round in a recent edition of Wimbledon, illustrating the ongoing development of the sport’s next generation amid ongoing global considerations.