Emma Raducanu has found herself at the centre of controversy after opting not to shake hands with Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk following their first-round match at Wimbledon. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who called the move "petty" and "unnecessary".
The Handshake That Never Was
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, defeated Kostyuk in straight sets (6-2, 6-1) but chose to acknowledge the crowd rather than her opponent at the net. This comes amid ongoing tensions between some players regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though Kostyuk has been careful not to politicise the situation.
Navratilova's Strong Words
Speaking to broadcasters, 18-time Grand Slam winner Navratilova didn't mince words: "There's no excuse for this behaviour. Tennis has always been about sportsmanship first. Whatever personal feelings players may have, the handshake is a tradition that should be respected."
Norrie Cruises Through
In contrast to the controversy surrounding Raducanu, British number one Cameron Norrie had a straightforward victory against Argentina's Facundo Díaz Acosta, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. The 28-year-old looked in strong form as he aims to better his 2022 semi-final appearance.
What's Next for Raducanu?
The 21-year-old British star will face Belgium's Elise Mertens in the second round. All eyes will be on whether she maintains this approach to post-match etiquette or reverts to traditional tennis customs.
