SI

French Open competitor icily shoos away opponent’s handshake offer

This is ice-cold. 

Dan Gartland

French Open competitor icily shoos away opponent’s handshake offer
French Open competitor icily shoos away opponent’s handshake offer /

Laurent Lokoli had no interest in pleasantries after a contentious match against Martin Klizan at the French Open on Tuesday. 

Klizan taunted Lokoli after a double-fault in the fifth set and the two exchanged words during the changeover. Klizan went on to win the match after Lokoli hit the ball wide on match-point. When Klizan approached for the customary post-match handshake, Lokoli shooed him away with a dismissive wave of the hand. 

There is a bit of a history with awkward handshakes at the French Open. Tatjana Maria and Alize Cornet got into it last year. One the year before involved Maxime Hamou, who was banned from this year’s tournament after forcibly kissing a reporter. 

Published
Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

Home/Tennis