Fans Slam Svitolina for “Putting on a Show”: Why Not Donate the Prize Money or Join the Army?

On January 29, the women’s singles semifinals at the Australian Open concluded with Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina suffering a straight-sets defeat to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 31-year-old failed to reach the final, but it was not the result itself that sparked controversy—it was Svitolina’s conduct before, during, and after the match that angered many neutral fans.

Sabalenka, a Belarusian player, approached the center of the court before the match in line with tradition, extending her hand for a handshake and photo opportunity. Svitolina, however, remained still and offered no response. Although momentarily surprised, Sabalenka quickly adjusted and posed for photos alone with the ball kids.

What followed drew even more criticism. While Sabalenka was taking photos, Svitolina stood nearby repeatedly swinging her racket, an action many viewers found uncomfortable and inappropriate.

On court, the match itself was largely one-sided. Svitolina struggled to find answers and lost in straight sets. After the match, she left the court without looking back, once again refusing to shake hands with Sabalenka. In response, Sabalenka celebrated by clenching her fist toward Svitolina’s direction.

Svitolina continued to draw attention at the post-match press conference. Despite the loss, she appeared relaxed and smiling, stating that she had “no reason to feel sad,” adding that compared to her compatriots suffering back home, she considered herself fortunate. She reiterated that Ukraine remains in a dire situation and vowed to continue speaking out on behalf of her country.

It is worth noting that this was not Svitolina’s first controversial moment at this year’s Australian Open. Earlier in the tournament, she refused to shake hands with two Russian players—Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva—and made remarks after winning that were widely interpreted as mocking her eliminated opponents.

These repeated incidents have fueled growing frustration among fans. Following the semifinal, many took to social media to criticize her behavior, with comments such as: “If you truly care so much, why not donate your 1.25 million Australian dollars in prize money?” Others were even harsher: “If you’re brave enough, go join the army—stop acting.”