Rybakina Snubs WTA Chief in Photo After Finals Win

Rybakina Refuses WTA CEO Photo After Record Finals Win

Elena Rybakina made headlines both for her commanding victory at the WTA Finals and her decision to snub WTA CEO Portia Archer during the post-match trophy ceremony.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion defeated world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets on Saturday to claim the biggest single payday in women’s tennis history — a staggering £3.98 million.

But while celebrating her season-ending triumph, the Kazakh star refused to join Archer and Sabalenka for a group photo, despite being asked to do so.

The Background: A Season of Tension

Rybakina’s gesture may not have been spontaneous. It comes at the end of a turbulent season involving her long-time coach Stefano Vukov, who was suspended by the WTA earlier this year for violating the organisation’s code of conduct.

Although details of the breach were not made public, Vukov’s interactions with Rybakina had raised red flags, notably among tennis observers like Pam Shriver, who has been vocal about safer coaching standards in tennis.

Rybakina, however, has consistently defended Vukov, saying she was never mistreated and publicly criticised the WTA for their handling of the matter during the Australian Open in January. At that time, Vukov’s provisional suspension prevented him from being accredited for the tournament — despite Rybakina’s wish to have him present.

“We’re All Doing Our Job”

Rybakina, 26, offered no direct explanation for refusing the photo opportunity, but alluded to lingering friction with WTA leadership.

“We had the opportunity to have conversations, but in the end it never happened,” she told AFP.
“We’re all doing our job and I think we’re going to keep it this way.”

Vukov’s ban was lifted in August, and he was courtside as Rybakina clinched her historic win in Cancun.

Reaction From the Tennis World

Former doubles great Pam Shriver took to social media to comment on the awkward moment:

“Imagine winning more prize money in one tournament than the entire Original 9 over their careers, then dissing the WTA CEO… it’s hard to imagine,” Shriver wrote.

The “Original 9” were the trailblazing women who formed the basis of the WTA Tour in the 1970s. Rybakina’s gesture stirred debate about player autonomy vs organisational authority.

On-Court, Rybakina Is Rising

Regardless of the off-court drama, Rybakina’s performance has been elite. Her dominant win over Sabalenka elevated her to World No. 5, and she’s emerging as one of the most consistent threats on the WTA Tour.

While she preferred to “keep the reason between us,” her act of refusing a ceremonial photo has become symbolic — not just of personal grievance, but of deeper tensions between players and tennis governance.