Why Elena Rybakina declined to pose with WTA CEO after WTA Finals triumph

New Delhi: Elena Rybakina's WTA Finals victory in Riyadh should have been all about celebration as she won the biggest title since Wimbledon 2022. Yet, the spotlight quickly shifted from her brilliant performance to a tense post-match moment that left fans and officials equally puzzled.

After defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to seal the championship, Rybakina stood smiling beside her opponent for the traditional winner's photo but when CEO Portia Archer stepped forward to join the shot, the shot the Kazakh star quietly turned away and stepped aside, choosing not to be part of the group frame.

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When organisers gestured for her to join, but Rybakina politely declined, shaking her head and monitoring for them to continue without her. She was standing several feet away as the others posed with calm expressions but distant, as the moment was loaded with unspoken tension.

When asked about the incident in her post-match press conference, Rybakina kept her response brief. “I’d prefer to keep that between me and the WTA,” she said, offering no further explanation. Her words were measured, but the silence around the issue has only fuelled speculation.

Those close to the 26-year-old suggest the gesture may have been linked to ongoing strain between her camp and the WTA over her long-time coach Stefano Vukov. The Croatian was suspended by the WTA in 2024 following complaints about his on-court behaviour, a decision that reportedly left Rybakina furious.

Vukov has been an integral part of Rybakina’s rise, guiding her through her most successful years on tour. His animated courtside presence drew criticism during the 2023 Australian Open but Rybakina defended him calling him a “crucial part of her team.” However, his suspension last year was seen as a personal blow to both the player and her camp.

While Rybakina has avoided making any public statement against the WTA, her quiet defiance in Riyadh may have been a subtle message. Well, her win over Belarusian reaffirms her status among the game's elite but it was her refusal to pose that defined the night.