Ever wondered what really goes down at the net after a tense tennis match? The US Open has seen its share of awkward postmatch handshakes, revealing the sport’s unspoken etiquette. From underarm serves to heated exchanges, some players just can’t hide their feelings. What makes these moments so captivating?

The intensity of professional tennis often extends beyond the final point, manifesting in the nuanced and sometimes contentious ritual of the postmatch handshake. This year’s US Open has once again cast a spotlight on the sport’s unwritten rules, revealing how deeply ingrained traditions of sportsmanship can clash with raw competitive emotion, leading to awkward and widely discussed moments at the net.

Recent events at the Flushing Meadows tournament underscored this dynamic, notably an incident involving two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Altmaier. Following Altmaier’s victory, Tsitsipas reportedly expressed displeasure over an underarm serve, a perfectly legal but sometimes frowned-upon tactic, during their net encounter. Such exchanges highlight the subjective interpretations of fair play and proper tennis etiquette among elite athletes.

Another notable dustup occurred after Taylor Townsend’s victory over Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion. These instances, while not explicitly forbidden by the 61-page Grand Slam rule book, ignite conversations about the unspoken code of conduct that governs the sport. The handshake, a seemingly simple gesture of respect, becomes a barometer for the underlying tensions and rivalries.

The tradition of postmatch greetings, whether a handshake, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek, is an entrenched ritual in tennis, observed from junior circuits to the professional tour. It signifies an acknowledgement of the contest and a display of civility, yet its execution can vary wildly depending on the match’s outcome, the players’ personal histories, and immediate emotional responses to victory or defeat.

Indeed, the internet thrives on dissecting these moments. A dedicated segment of tennis social media meticulously chronicles every half-hearted handshake and icy glare, showcasing how these micro-interactions resonate with fans. This public scrutiny adds another layer of pressure, turning what should be a private exchange of pleasantries into a subject of global debate and analysis, influencing perceptions of player character and sportsmanship.

Players themselves hold diverse views on the matter. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek acknowledged that while she might refuse a handshake if she “didn’t like someone really, really hard,” it’s generally “good to congratulate someone if you lost.” This perspective underscores the internal conflict between personal feelings and the expectation of adhering to tennis rules and decorum.

Former professional Andrea Petkovic, a 2014 French Open semifinalist, noted that these net interactions offer unique glimpses into the “persona of the player,” revealing individual temperaments and cultural differences. As Maria Sakkari, another prominent player, aptly put it, given that athletes hail from “different countries, different cultures,” it’s “normal that two people are going to fall out” occasionally, leading to less-than-cordial exchanges.

Tense net encounters are not exclusive to the US Open, nor are they a modern phenomenon. Legendary coach Brad Gilbert recalled nearly coming to blows with David Wheaton at the 1990 Grand Slam Cup over an overrule, demonstrating that heated postmatch interactions have always been a part of tennis history. These moments, steeped in the unwritten rules and emotional intensity of the game, continue to captivate audiences and shape the narrative of tournaments.