Iga Świątek and Victoria Azarenka caught in feud as ‘awkward' handshake breaks the internet

Time of India

8 hours ago

Image via Sky Sports
Tennis fans were left stunned on Wednesday as an icy handshake between Iga Świątek and Victoria Azarenka stole the spotlight from an otherwise straightforward match result. The two Grand Slam champions—each commanding immense respect on the WTA circuit—shared a post-match moment so cold, so tense, that even the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier felt the chill.
Cameras captured what social media quickly dubbed the 'Frostbite Handshake,' with no smiles, no eye contact, and zero of the typical sportsmanship flair tennis fans are used to.
Was it a miscommunication? A match-day meltdown? Or something brewing behind the scenes? Within minutes, the clip went viral, sparking widespread speculation across fan forums and sports platforms. Given Świątek's usually composed demeanor and Azarenka's seasoned professionalism, the moment was as shocking as it was cryptic.
Here's everything we know about the post-match freeze that has the tennis world buzzing.
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Świątek had just sealed a convincing victory over Azarenka in straight sets. As tradition dictates, the two players met at the net. But what happened next had all the tension of a five-set final. A quick, robotic handshake. No eye contact. No smiles. No exchanged words. Just a flash of mutual chill that was instantly picked up by eagle-eyed viewers and broadcast cameras.
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Undo
Fans flocked to social media within minutes. 'What just happened between Iga and Vika?' one X (formerly Twitter) user posted. 'That was the coldest handshake I've seen in years.' The term "frosty exchange" quickly began trending, with many recalling past rivalries and tense moments in tennis history. The incident even sparked memes and slow-motion breakdowns of the handshake. According to the Express UK, tension may have stemmed from Azarenka's mid-match dispute with the chair umpire over a questionable line call.
Though Świątek didn't directly react at the time, it's possible that the match's emotional temperature was already rising beneath the surface.
Świątek, a four-time Grand Slam champion and current world No. 1, is known for her calm, composed demeanor. Rarely flustered, she's admired for her focus and sportsmanship. Azarenka, a former world No. 1 herself and two-time Australian Open champion, brings a fiery edge and is no stranger to high-stakes confrontations.
Could this have been a momentary lapse in tennis etiquette—or a deeper disagreement?
At the time of reporting, neither player has commented publicly on the post-match moment. But experts suggest that this wasn't part of an ongoing feud. 'It looked more like two intensely competitive players letting emotions spill over,' one former WTA coach told BBC Sport. 'It happens—even at the top.' No fines. No code violations.
No statements issued. But the visual spoke louder than words—and fans aren't letting it go.
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In the heat of elite-level tennis, moments like these remind us that athletes—no matter how poised or polished—are still human. The Świątek–Azarenka handshake may not involve racquet-smashing or press-room jabs, but its sheer iciness is enough to make it one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. Whether it was just a passing moment of tension or something more layered remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: the tennis world will be watching closely the next time these two share a court… and a handshake.
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