The women’s tennis season is over, and it was truly an unforgettable year. However, it took less than an hour after the conclusion of the 2025 WTA Finals for a new batch of drama to pop up in the sport.
After defeating the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match, Elena Rybakina declined to pose for a photo with WTA Tour CEO Portia Archer during Saturday’s trophy ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sabalenka and Archer stood in place waiting for Rybakina to join them for an official group photo. Eventually, a WTA tour official gestured for Rybakina to join the two women for a picture, but she waved off the instructions in an awkward show of defiance.
Media and fans alike assumed the snub was over Rybakina’s coach, Stefano Vukov. Earlier this year, Vukov served a suspension for a breach of the WTA Code of Conduct.
The well-documented saga finally ended when Vukov’s ban was lifted in August, and he has been a fixture in her team’s box ever since returning to his role.
Tennis reporters in Riyadh asked Rybakina about the apparent snub during her post-tournament press conference. After initially declining to answer, she was asked again about the investigation.
Rybakina said,