Rybakina's Triumphant Victory in Riyadh
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan claimed the prestigious WTA Finals 2025 title on Sunday, November 8, 2025. The former Wimbledon champion defeated her Belarusian opponent Aryna Sabalenka with a decisive score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This remarkable victory marked one of the most significant achievements of her career, cementing her status among tennis elites.
The Controversial Celebration Snub
While Rybakina's performance on the court was flawless, her behavior during the post-match celebrations became the center of attention. Despite her clear victory, the 26-year-old athlete notably refused to participate in traditional celebratory photos with WTA Chief Executive Portia Archer. Eyewitnesses reported that Rybakina deliberately stood apart from both her opponent and the WTA chief, even when explicitly asked to join them for the customary victory photograph.
When questioned about her unexpected behavior during the press conference, Rybakina remained evasive, choosing not to disclose her reasons for avoiding the photo opportunity with Archer. However, tennis insiders quickly pointed to a likely connection with an incident involving her coach, Stefano Vukov.
The Stefano Vukov Controversy Background
The tension between Rybakina and the WTA leadership appears to stem from events earlier in the year. In February 2025, coach Stefano Vukov faced suspension after being found in violation of the WTA's code of conduct. This disciplinary action prompted an independent investigation into his behavior toward Rybakina, though both athlete and coach consistently denied any inappropriate conduct.
Rybakina firmly defended her coach throughout the investigation, insisting that Vukov had always maintained professional boundaries. The 38-year-old coach similarly denied all allegations of misconduct. After a thorough review process, Vukov was cleared of all wrongdoing in August 2025 and was present courtside to witness his player's triumphant WTA Finals victory.
The controversy had drawn commentary from tennis legend Pam Shriver, who had previously expressed concerns about Vukov's treatment of Rybakina in 2023. Following the WTA Finals incident, Shriver took to social media platform X to criticize Rybakina's behavior, noting the irony of the champion snubbing the WTA leadership while benefiting from the organization's financial rewards and player safeguards.
Rybakina addressed the ongoing situation with the WTA in her post-match comments, revealing that meaningful discussions between her team and the association had failed to materialize. She maintained that while opportunities for conversation existed, they ultimately never progressed, suggesting a continuing strain in the relationship between the player and the tennis organization.
