The 2025 US Open has seen some incredible tennis and a number of shocking results so far, as well as its fair share of drama.
Disagreements at the net have been among the headlines, with Taylor Townsend’s altercation with Jelena Ostapenko sparking debate on social media.
Ostapenko complained to Townsend after the match for refusing to apologise for winning a point after hitting the net cord, later telling the American she had ‘no class’ and ‘no education’.
The latest instalment of post-match antics came at the end of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ second-round clash with Daniel Altmaier.
Following his defeat in five sets, Tsitsipas voiced his frustrations to Altmaier after the German hit an underarm serve in the fourth set.
Amid the disputes, WTA number two Iga Swiatek gave her verdict on whether players should have to shake hands at the end of a match, regardless of their opponent’s behaviour.
Iga Swiatek gives her verdict on post-match traditions
She said in a press conference after her second-round victory: “Honestly I haven’t thought about it because I have got so used to this tradition.
“Since we were kids we have been doing that. So to be honest I didn’t notice there might be a tennis match without a handshake at the end.
“I have never had a problem with that. Maybe if I didn’t like someone really, really hard then probably I wouldn’t want to shake hands with them. But besides that, no.
“I think it’s good to congratulate someone if you have lost, and it’s good to also say something if you won, but the match was tough or something.”
What Stefanos Tsitsipas said to Daniel Altmaier at the net
Altmaier most likely would have been forgiven by most for refusing to shake Tsitsipas’ hand after the Greek star’s comments at the net.
He told his opponent after the contest: “Next time, don’t wonder why I hit you, ok?”
Tsitsipas was then heard saying: “I’m just saying, if you serve underarm,” before Altmaier walked away from the confrontation.
After his victory, the 26-year-old will face eighth seed Alex de Minaur in the third round.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
