Elena Rybakina faced criticism from tennis legend Pam Shriver for refusing to take a photo with WTA CEO Portia Archer after winning the prestigious WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia and earning a £4 million prize. Rybakina’s actions were seen as a protest against the ban on her coach, Stefano Vukov, who had previously been suspended for breaching the WTA’s code of conduct but later had the suspension overturned.
Despite the controversy, Rybakina expressed her satisfaction with having Vukov back as her coach, emphasizing that they never had any issues. Shriver, a former US Open finalist, took to social media to express her disappointment in Rybakina’s decision to work with Vukov again, calling for the tennis community to address issues of abuse.
During a press conference, Rybakina refrained from elaborating on her decision not to stand with Archer, citing poor communication from the WTA regarding the Vukov situation. She highlighted the challenging journey to her victory and praised the tough competition she faced.
In contrast, Aryna Sabalenka, despite her successful season with wins at the US Open and strong showings in other Grand Slam tournaments, expressed disappointment at her inability to secure a victory at the Finals. Sabalenka acknowledged Rybakina’s superior performance and credited her opponent for a convincing win.
