"I don't consider respect appropriate" – Lyudmyla Kichenok refuses handshake after Kristina Mladenovic incident at Australian Open

Lyudmyla Kichenok and Chan Hao-ching faced Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai in the third round of the women's doubles competition.

In a match expected to be purely about skill and sportsmanship, a surprising incident occurred. Kichenok accused Mladenovic of threatening behaviour after the contest ended, casting a shadow over the players' performances.

The Ukrainian tennis star took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the situation, a move that has left many in the tennis community both shocked and intrigued.

The two pairs took to the court in the round of 16 of the tournament, with many expecting a close encounter. Mladenovic and Zhang emerged victorious, securing a 7-6(4), 6-2 win. After a competitive first set, Mladenovic and Zhang took control in the second, closing the match convincingly.

During the contest, a rally resulted in Kichenok unintentionally hitting Mladenovic with the ball. According to the Ukrainian, Mladenovic responded by saying, "You watch out next time."

After the match, Kichenok refused to shake hands with her opponent. Taking to social media afterwards, she explained her decision.

"I would like to clarify the situation in my third-round AO match against Kristina Mladenovic."

"Publicly accused of bad sportsmanship. I want to say my word."

"I received a straightforward threat from my opponent after unintentionally hitting her with a tennis ball. The response to my numerous apologies was, 'You watch out next time'."

"I don't consider respect appropriate, like shaking hands at the end of the match with people who use verbal threats. Period."

Later, the Ukrainian followed up with another post on Instagram, further addressing the incident.

"1. Violation of Sportsmanship: Verbal threats on the tennis court go against the principles of sportsmanship. Tennis is a game that encourages respect for opponents, officials and the integrity of the sport.

"Threatening language creates a hostile environment, undermining the spirit of fair play and camaraderie.

"2. Psychological impact: Verbal threats can have a significant psychological impact on players. Tennis requires mental focus and concentration, and threats can disrupt a player's ability to perform at their best.

"It can create fear, anxiety, and stress, affecting their overall performance and enjoyment of the game.

"3. Deterioration of the Tennis Community: Verbal threats contribute to a negative atmosphere within the tennis community. Such behaviour can discourage new players from participating and tarnish the sport's reputation."

The incident has sparked discussions about sportsmanship and conduct on the professional tour. It remains to be seen if any further action will be taken, but the controversy has certainly caught the attention of the tennis world.

The potential consequences of this event and its impact on the sport's future are sure to keep the tennis community on edge. Whether or not the governing bodies respond, this situation highlights the importance of professionalism and respect on the court