(Video) Kristina Mladenovic, Lyudmyla Kichenok refuse to shake hands after feisty doubles clash at Australian Open

Australian Open 2025 witnessed a controversial moment. The first Grand Slam is moving towards the business end as the remaining players in different categories are giving their all to secure the ultimate prize.

A controversial moment appeared in the mega-event on Monday when two players refused to handshake during a doubles contest. The incident happened after the third-round clash, which involved France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok. After the match, Mladenovic stated the reason behind not shaking hands with her opponent.

"Well if you want my real honest opinion I think the opponent team woke me up because they were a little bit showing unsportsmanship during my serve and I got really mad. So I was like okay this is how the match starting and then it woke me up," said Mladenovic. "I was very composed with my partner and we fought together to find the solution. So actually, yeah, that was really a trigger point for me at the beginning, you know. It woke me up and it was getting better and better during the match for the game and I am pleased with our level."

In the contest, it was the pair of Mladenovic and China’s Zhang Shuai who came out on top against Kichenok and Chan Hao-ching in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2. They will face the pair of America’s Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, who registered their place in the quarterfinal after beating the pair of Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Nadiia Kichenok in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-0.