The opening week of the US Open has sparked plenty of discussions about the unwritten rules of tennis. You know, the kind of rules that involve a polite “sorry” or a hand raised in acknowledgment—just small gestures that establish respect, along with those questionable armpit serves.
Another aspect of the game that’s caught attention is the post-match interactions, which have been influenced by past complaints from players. While these greetings often involve a wave, hugs, or even cheek-kissing, they don’t always go as smoothly as one might hope.
Not every sport concludes with such civility, but even if “handshake” doesn’t show up in the extensive Grand Slam rulebook, it remains a fundamental ritual in tennis culture.
Former player and current coach for ESPN, Brad Gilbert, shared, “You do it in the juniors. You carry it through your career. It’s an essential part of our sport.” He emphasized the importance of winning gracefully and losing with dignity.
Scrutiny Around Townsend and Ostapenko
“I’ve never had a bad experience online with anyone,” reflected Chris Ebert, who collected 18 major titles during the 70s and 80s, illustrating that not everyone shares the same luck.
Take Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko, for instance. After Townsend’s win, Ostapenko exchanged harsh words instead of a friendly gesture, criticizing her for being “uneducated.” Her frustration stemmed from Townsend’s lack of an apology after an awkward point, which was supposed to follow traditional etiquette.
“It was ridiculous,” remarked Gilbert about Ostapenko’s reaction.
Handshake Issues Between Tsitsipas and Altmaier
The situation escalated further on Thursday when two-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and winner Daniel Altmeyer had a tense moment after the match regarding an underarm serve.
Instead of engaging, Altmaier turned away from Tsitsipas. “In the heat of the moment, you can hold onto feelings you don’t usually express…and later regret it,” Altmaier explained.
Notably absent from public view was the 20th seed Giri Lehecca, who suggested that such conflicts might be better addressed “behind the locker room.”
Tensions Extend Beyond US Open
It’s not just in the US that tensions surface in tennis. Social media often highlights half-hearted gestures post-match, fueling online debates.
“People pay considerable attention because there isn’t much else going on,” commented 21st-ranked Linda Noskova.
For example, I noticed the back-and-forth between Ben Shelton and Flaviokoboli following their match in Canada. Or there was that time Daniel Collins and Iga Swiatek clashed over something trivial at the Paris Olympics. And let’s not forget Taylor Fritz’s playful jibe at his Wimbledon opponent suggesting a “nice flight home.”
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, admitted, “Maybe if I didn’t really like someone, I might not want to shake hands.”
Andrea Petkovic, a former semi-finalist, reminisced about her match against Serena Williams in Rome, recalling how Williams told her, “It’s fine” after their match. It’s a little glimpse into those player personas, isn’t it?
Desire to Maintain Post-Match Etiquette
Maria Sakkari, a two-time major semi-finalist, expressed her hopes against eliminating the handshake ritual. “There will always be instances where people have issues,” she noted.
“We come from different countries and cultures,” Sakkari continued. “It’s only natural for some to part ways more abruptly.”
And tensions don’t just arise after the final point. Gilbert nearly got into a serious confrontation during the 1990 Grand Slam Cup, calling the situation a “big tiff.” Despite the heated moment, he reflected that they still managed to wave at each other afterwards. It’s all part of the tennis experience, I guess.
