Remember that awkward moment between Danielle Collins and Iga Swiatek at the United Cup? You know, the super tense match followed by that super awkward handshake? Well, it seems like that might have started a trend. Fast forward to the Australian Open, and boom! Marta Kostyuk, who’s kind of known for not being the warmest in the handshake department, gives Paula Badosa the exact same icy treatment after their epic match. And honestly? Poor Badosa had nothing to do with any of it!

Fresh from winning an exhausting third round match against Marta Kostyuk (6-4, 4-6, 6-3), extending her head-to-head lead to 4-1, Paula Badosa expressed her views on what seemed a particularly chilly post-match handshake in the press conference.

With a tone between that of empathy and convincing matter-of-fact-ness, the Spaniard said, “No, it’s just her. I think she has her own things going on with Ukraine, the war, and all those things that she’s been very vocal. I’m not in that, honestly… I think it was a bit that, maybe also that she lost a tough match, and the conditions were tough for both of us. I think I have nothing to do with that.” .

Paula Badosa and Marta Kostyuk used to share a bond of friendliness that was initiated in the sticks of 2021. Both players took a flight together after the Abu Dhabi Open. With Kostyuk having an impressive run herself while Badosa gearing up for the demanding season. Their friendship developed further when they found themselves confined to strict COVID-19 quarantine together in Melbourne.

A few months later, on the big stage of the French Open, their spirit of goodwill was highlighted when both players were seen supporting each other from courtside during their respective third-round matches, which they both won. Kostyuk was even bold enough to declare Badosa her role model: “She’s really nice and an amazing soul and I’m supporting her 100% and after every match, I’m telling her, ‘Let’s go, girl! You’re my inspiration and my idol,” said Ukranian per Tennis. Com after Paula’s third round win over Ana Bogdan.

It was in 2022, however, that the once-supportive bond between Paula Badosa and Marta Kostyuk started to change. At Indian Wells, When Kostyuk invited Badosa to play doubles with her, which the Spaniard refused, for she had decided to avoid playing doubles altogether. But weeks later, Badosa partnered with Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka, in Miami and Stuttgart, signaling a shift in the bond.

Well, the frosty handshake between Paula Badosa and Marta Kostyuk is not the first incident concerning the Ukrainian player.

Having taken a solid stance regarding the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, Kostyuk has made the headlines of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian players after their matches. She refused to shake hands with Russia’s Varvara Gracheva and Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka in 2023, claiming moral grounds. An equally contentious feather was added to the cap in Miami when Anastasia Potapova of Russia overtook Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in round two. Potapova had stirred up the controversy prior by wearing a Spartak Moscow shirt, further fanning the flames.

Coming to Badosa, it was not the only incident surrounding her. Something more happened in her AO’s recent match which caught everyone’s eye.

Paula Badosa engages in a furious argument with BF Stefanos Tsitsipas

After a strong start, winning the first set 6-4, the Spanish world No. 11 found herself facing a steep uphill climb in the second, trailing 0-5.

During a changeover, Badosa turned to her support crew, frustration evident on her face. She sought guidance from Tsitsipas and her coach, even offering them her racquet as if to say, ‘I don’t know what to do anymore!’ It was clear she needed a spark to reignite her game. The windy conditions affecting the sequence of her game visibly frustrated her.

Tsitsipas, ever the supportive partner, gestured for her to take a deep breath and relax, a playful smile passing between them. However, after the match, Badosa clarified things regarding the exchange.

“First of all, let me clarify: that discussion was not with Stefanos, but with my coach. I understand that the topic is being talked about; I have seen it on social media, where everyone was discussing it. They like to talk about it—it’s normal because they know this will get more views by saying it was with Stefanos and not with my coach. Honestly, I am always interacting with my coach; he is the one with me. Stefanos is just emotional support, although he supports me a lot. What my coach was asking was for me to mentally accept the moments, but it was tough with the wind. Luckily, then my level increased in the third set.”

Looking ahead, Paula Badosa now finds herself in the fourth round against either Jessica Pegula or Olga Danilovic at Melbourne Park on Sunday, 19 January. The Spaniard has already matched her best at the Australian Open since 2022 and looking to break into the first quarterfinal ever in Melbourne. With Badosa’s combination of ability and form, will she manage to go deeper into the tournament, or is this it for her?