The WTA Best of 2020 series on mootennis.com continues with the five year anniversary of Handshakes and Hugs. It was a bizarre year for H&H as handshakes, yet alone hugs, were well and truly off the table in the midst of a pandemic. There was still a lot of good material from the first few months and examples of great sportswomanship, even post-lockdown, on the WTA tour. If you’ve missed any of the previous editions, click on the links for highlights for the four editions between 2016 and 2019 🤗.
Handshakes & Hugs 2020 ⬇
1. Donna Vekic and Maria Sakkari (Adelaide, R2)
Before and after shots between best pals. You cannot tell from the post-match picture by @JJlovesTennis on Twitter who won the match.
2. Julia Goerges and Petra Martic (Australian Open, R2)
Captured by @tennis_gifs on Twitter, the ultimate respect between Goerges and Martic after a three set thriller in Melbourne.
3. Ash Barty and Petra Kvitova (Australian Open, QF; Doha, SF)
Pure class everytime Ash and Petra play each other.
4. Sofia Kenin and Ons Jabeur (Australian Open, QF)
Loved this exchange shared by @WTA_insider on Twitter between Kenin and Jabeur as they warmed down after their fourth round wins at the Australian Open. Battling for a first ever Slam semi-final, the pair shared a nice moment at the net after their quarter-final match.
5. Sofia Kenin and Garbiñe Muguruza (Australian Open, F)
After double faulting on match point, I thought this was very classy from Muguruza who doesn’t often hug!
6. Garbiñe Muguruza and Kim Clijsters (Dubai, R1)
Another neat gesture from Muguruza after Clijsters gave an impressive showing in her first tour level match in over seven years.
7. Ons Jabeur and Jen Brady (Doha, R2)
Lovely exchange at the net between two contenders for the most improved player in 2020.
8. Serena Williams and Maria Sakkari (US Open, R4)
Post-lockdown and now the new norm. Nice words shared between Serena and Maria at the net.
9. Victoria Azarenka and Daria Kasatkina (Rome, R3)
One of the most uplifting moments of sportswomanship in 2020. Victoria Azarenka did all she could to console Daria Kasatkina after the Russian player was forced to retire hurt from their third round match in Rome.
10. Petra Kvitova and Zhang Shuai (French Open, R4)
A smiley exchange between two of the nicest players on tour. I don’t know if there will be much material for next year but will endeavour to share more great acts of sportswomanship on the WTA tour in 2021 🤗.
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