Elena Rybakina’s WTA CEO Snub Situation Over Stefano Vukov Drama Could’ve Gone ‘Darker’ Believes Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim

There is, for sure, some bad blood between Elena Rybakina and the WTA. The WTA season has now ended following the conclusion of the year-end championships.

Rybakina defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, winning her career’s first WTA Finals title. Before this season, the Kazakh ace had never progressed beyond the round-robin stage. During the trophy presentation, when it was time for the customary photoshoot with WTA CEO Portia Archer, Rybakina displayed an act of defiance, choosing not to pose for the photographs.

This happened thanks to the Stefano Vukov saga. After her split with Vukov before the US Open last year, Rybakina re-hired him earlier this season, only to see the partnership being affected by the WTA’s ban on him for breaching the Code of Conduct. As per Portia, Vukov harassed her, subjecting her to mental abuse, which affected Rybakina’s health.

Former ATP pro Andy Roddick and co-host Jon Wertheim discussed Rybakina’s conduct during the Served podcast. The 2003 US Open champion is convinced there are “some issues” between both parties, while Wertheim, who thinks WTA did what they deemed right, thinks the controversy did not escalate.

But I do think it says something that she’s still defiant about that situation. It frightened a lot of people close to the center of it. The fact that here we are talking about her as a future Major champion, that she just won $5 million, and seems comfortable and happy with her coach — that’s a good thing. This situation could’ve gone a lot darker, so we should be happy for everyone involved.

Jon Wertheim said

The win helped Rybakina improve her head-to-head record to 6-8 over Sabalenka. Since she was the undefeated champion, she took home women’s tennis’ biggest prize money, a cheque of $5,235,000. She denied the four-time Grand Slam singles champion her career’s first title in the event.

Andy Roddick on who between Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina can win a Major in 2026

Elena Rybakina was not at all a heavy favorite to win the WTA Finals. She arrived in Riyadh fatigued following her attempts to qualify for the season-ending championships. Rybakina was also dealing with a shoulder injury. In spite of the setbacks, she ended the event in her favor.

In the WTA draw, only Amanda Anisimova made her debut. Her qualification was a result of her appearances in the Wimbledon and the US Open finals, as well as two successful runs in WTA 1000 events (Dubai Open and China Open). She also played the final of the Queen’s Club Championships. Andy Roddick, during his Served podcast, discussed who between Anisimova and Rybakina can win a Major next year.

I think I say Rybakina, just because she’s better on clay, so it’s one more opportunity, she’s won Rome before. It’s not her best surface by any means. I think they have the same limitations on the surface, but does she have 3.5 chances at the Slams vs 3? I don’t know.

Andy Roddick said on his Served podcast

Rybakina already has a Grand Slam title to her name. Back in 2022, she ended the Wimbledon final in her favor against Ons Jabeur.

This year, Rybakina lifted three titles. She ended her title drought at the Strasbourg Open and had to wait for the Ningbo Open to win her second title before lifting the WTA Finals title. The win helped the former World No.3 end the season as a No.5 player, while Anisimova ended it as a No.4 player (career-high). Anisimova was one of the players Rybakina defeated en route to the WTA Finals title.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Tactfully Refuses to Pick the Greatest Tennis Player

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