The tennis world has been divided by the awkward aftermath of the WTA Finals, which saw Elena Rybakina refusing to be photographed alongside world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and WTA CEO Portia Archer.
Rybakina had upset Sabalenka in the final 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) to claim her first trophy in the season-ending championships, but things turned ugly during the presentation.
Rybakina’s beef was not with Sabalenka, but with Archer who has been strong on trying to protect players from potential abuse from coaches.
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That stance led to the ban of Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov who was found guilty of a breach of conduct code in 2024 with the ban remaining in place at the start of 2025.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has previously said that Vukov “never mistreated“ her in the years they worked together, and disagreed with the provisional suspension.
However, a confidential summary of the investigation alleged that Vukov had at times “ridiculed and abused Rybakina during coaching”, and called her “stupid”.
It also alleged that he had thrown balls at her, and the “mental abuse” pushed Rybakina “to or beyond her limits” which resulted in “a physical illness or other symptoms”.
Rybakina has always sided with her coach (they are together again), and things reached a head on the weekend.
When Archer joined Sabalenka for a photo opportunity, Rybakina coolly stood on the other side of the court.
An official gestured at her to stand closer, but Rybakina shooed him away and snubbed the photos.
US tennis great and commentator Pam Shriver blasted the 26-year-old.
“Imagine winning more prize money in one tournament than the entire Original Nine over their collective careers, then dissing WTA CEO because the CEO has tried to ensure stronger safeguards in your sports … it’s hard to imagine,” she said on X (formerly Twitter)
But fans were divided on the issue.
“She can play in the tournament, and take their money, but not stand for a picture? If she’s protesting, then don’t play in the tournament.,” one fan said.
But others thought that her stand was reasonable and were upset by Shriver’s take.
“She banned her coach. I think it was a reasonable response. I thought she handled herself well,” one fan said.
And another: “What ‘stronger safeguards’, when she’s declared no safeguard was needed? She clearly stated she was not victimised. Knowing how calm and collected she is, even in the worst situations of the game, I trust her words fully.”
And another said: “Elena wanted to make a statement and that she did with her win which was hard work and determination. She earned the prize money. Let’s not taint it with other issues.”
Rybakina did not want to go near Portia Archer when the photos were being taken. Credit: X
The world No.6 did not comment about the photo snubbing but gave a clue as to why she was still frustrated with the probe into her coach.
“Well, I think we’re all doing our job, and we had the opportunity to have conversations, but in the end, they never happened,” she said.
“So we’re all doing our job, and I think we’re going to keep it this way.”
As for Sabalenka, it was also an awkward way to end her excellent season.
Sabalenka won the US Open, finished runner-up at the Australian Open and French Open and lost in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
However, a first Finals victory remains elusive.
A tearful Sabalenka said after the match: “I am getting old, I am getting really sensitive. So many things to be proud of.
“Not the best performance, she was definitely the better player. She literally smashed me out of the court.”
– With AAP
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