Elena Rybakina faced criticism from tennis legend Pam Shriver for refusing to take a photo with WTA CEO Portia Archer after winning her most significant title since the 2022 Wimbledon victory. The Kazakhstani player clinched a £4 million prize by defeating world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.
Rybakina’s decision not to pose with Archer was seen as a protest against the ban on her coach, Stefano Vukov, for breaching the WTA’s code of conduct. Vukov, who guided Rybakina to Wimbledon success, had been suspended for 12 months earlier in the year but successfully appealed the ruling in August.
The tennis player expressed satisfaction with Vukov’s return, denying any mistreatment and stating that they never encountered any issues. However, her actions drew criticism from Shriver, who questioned Rybakina’s behavior and the handling of the Vukov situation by the WTA.
During the winners’ press conference, Rybakina refrained from elaborating on her stance towards Archer but criticized the WTA for inadequate communication regarding Vukov. Despite the controversy, she celebrated her unexpected triumph at the tournament, describing it as an incredible week with tough battles.
On the other hand, Sabalenka, despite a successful season that included winning the US Open and reaching the finals of the Australian Open and French Open, expressed disappointment at falling short in the Finals. In an emotional on-court interview, she acknowledged her opponent’s superior performance and her own struggles during the match.