Elena Rybakina faced criticism from tennis legend Pam Shriver for refusing to take a photo with WTA CEO Portia Archer after winning the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia and claiming a prize of £4 million. The Kazakhstani player, who recently won the Wimbledon title, chose not to pose with Archer, sparking controversy.
Rybakina’s decision was seen as a protest against the ban imposed on her coach, Stefano Vukov, for violating WTA rules. Despite the suspension earlier in the year, Vukov, who coached Rybakina to her Wimbledon victory, successfully appealed and resumed his coaching duties in August.
Following the incident, Shriver expressed disappointment on social media, questioning Rybakina’s actions and urging the tennis community to address issues of abuse and manipulation in the sport. Despite the backlash, Rybakina defended her coach, stating that they never had any problems and that he never mistreated her.
During the winners’ press conference, Rybakina remained silent on her reasons for avoiding the photo with Archer but criticized the WTA for poor communication regarding the Vukov issue. She emphasized the challenging nature of the tournament and expressed her surprise at her own success.
On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka, who had a remarkable season with wins at the US Open and runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and French Open, expressed disappointment at her inability to secure a victory at the Finals. Sabalenka acknowledged Rybakina’s superior performance and admitted to feeling emotional and overwhelmed by the defeat.