Former Grand Slam Champion Sides with Elena Rybakina After Giving WTA CEO Cold Shoulder at the WTA Finals
Elena Rybakina claimed $5.235 million after going undefeated at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Portia Archer (via X/WTA/Puntodebreak)
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Elena Rybakina has received praise from two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova after the 26-year-old refused to pose for a photo with WTA CEO Portia Archer at the season-ending tournament in Riyadh. This was following Rybakina’s excellent victory over World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals.
Rybakina’s incredible week in Riyadh is starting to be overwhelmed by her decision not to lift the title beside Archer. The decision not to pose beside the WTA CEO has raised negative controversy surrounding the suspension of her coach, Stefano Vukov, earlier this year. Despite the Croatian coach returning to her team, there’s still tension in the air.
Vukov’s coaching method made headlines at the 2023 Australian Open after he was criticized for the way he talked to Rybakina during her run to the final. He was later accused of breaching the WTA code of conduct in his partnership with the Kazakhstani. But Rybakina always defended her mentor.
However, Rybakina went undefeated at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, winning all her round robin matches and the knockout stage ties. She produced a masterclass performance against Sabalenka in the final on Saturday (November 8), beating the Belarusian star 6-4, 7-6(0) to win her second biggest career title.
Nonetheless, with many tennis fans and pundits split on the events that occurred between Rybakina and the WTA CEO during the post-match ceremony, Kuznetsova was quick to praise the 26-year-old. In a social media post, the former Russian player firmly sided with Rybakina” ‘s decision not to pose with Archer:
Her path to this victory was particularly difficult. I remember the many criticisms and pressures she had to endure because of her relationship with her coach. Despite everything, she continued to fight for what she believed was right, no matter what. And Lena didn’t stop there! Her commitment shows even in the smallest details: during the award ceremony, she refused to be photographed with the WTA President.
Rybakina claimed $5.235 million at the WTA Finals after her unbeaten run at the tournament. The prize money now takes the former World No. 3’s career prize money to over $19 million. In fact, the World No.5 has not lost a match since the Wuhan Open, where she fell to Sabalenka in straight sets.
Elena Rybakina hopes to continue with her excellent season-ending form next year
Elena Rybakina was the last player to qualify for the WTA Finals as she needed a final push by playing in consecutive tournaments during the Asian swing. Besides that, she also sustained a shoulder injury and struggled with it from the final round robin match to the final. But that didn’t stop the 26-year-old from overcoming Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
The ATP Finals is her second career biggest title after the Wimbledon Championship. During her press conference after the win, she revealed that she hopes to continue with her impressive form next season, while admitting that despite her physical strain she pushed hard to claim the title:
Everything that happened this week I will carry it over to the next season, it will give me motivation to work even harder, as we have been doing in the recent blocks of tournaments. Physically, even when I was not at my best, I think we did a great job.
The players in the WTA circuit, including Rybakina, will finally have the chance to relax in the off-season, basking in their successes and ruing their missed chances through the 2025 season. The 2026 season will commence late December but will fully kick off at the Australian Open in Melbourne on the 19th of January. Rybakina will hope to win the Australian Open after reaching the final in 2023.
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