Rybakina refused to be photographed with the WTA CEO after winning the Final Tournament

Kazakhstani tennis player Elena Rybakina refused to be photographed together with the CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Portia Archer after winning the Final Tournament.

On Saturday in Riyadh, Rybakina beat the world’s first racket, Belarusian Arina Sabalenka, with a score of 6:3, 7:6 (7:0) and became the winner of the tournament. During the award ceremony, the Moscow native did not pose with the head of the association due to the ongoing investigation into the tennis player’s coach Stefano Vukov.

Previously, Vukov was disqualified for one year on charges of psychological pressure on the tennis player. The publication noted that Archer characterized the specialist’s violations as follows: “abuse of authority and offensive behavior towards a WTA player, use of physical and verbal abuse against an athlete.” Rybakina said in February 2025 that she was disappointed with the WTA’s decision to suspend Vukov and asked the organization to reconsider the verdict. In August, the WTA lifted the ban on the Croatian’s coaching activities, and Rybakina resumed working with the specialist.

Rybakina is 26 years old, the tennis player won the WTA Final Tournament for the first time in her career.