Kristina Mladenovic has returned to the WTA Finals for the first time in seven years, but the Frenchwoman has already made headlines before stepping onto the court. The former doubles world No. 1 is competing alongside Guo Hanyu at Indian Wells, where the pair are the third seeds. However, it was the tournament's official photoshoot, rather than her return to the season-ending championships, that prompted her latest comments.
The 33-year-old is a two-time WTA Finals doubles champion, having lifted the trophy with Timea Babos in 2018 and 2019. This will be her fifth appearance at the tournament, although she has never qualified for the singles draw. Her return marks the end of a lengthy absence from an event where she previously enjoyed some of the biggest successes of her doubles career.
Mladenovic arrives in Indian Wells after rebuilding her career following an injury-disrupted 2025 season. Her partnership with Guo has already produced significant results in 2026, most notably a Wimbledon title that gave the Chinese player her first Grand Slam crown and added another major trophy to Mladenovic's collection. The Frenchwoman now has seven women's doubles Grand Slam titles and 10 major titles overall, including her mixed doubles triumphs.
Before the pair begin their campaign, however, Mladenovic has made clear that she was not impressed with the styling chosen for this year's WTA Finals photoshoot. The former champion decided against wearing the outfit provided for the occasion and instead chose her own clothes.
Mladenovic criticizes WTA Finals photoshoot and calls for more glamour
Mladenovic explained her decision in a post on social media, making it clear that the official styling did not match her expectations for an event of the WTA Finals' stature.
“I didn’t like the vision/styling of this shooting so I decided to put on my own clothes. Luckily I had one decent outfit in my suitcase but it was def not what I envisioned 😅 I stand for glam and elegance for the Finals! I hope they bring back the iconic glam photo! 🙌🏻”
@Simon_Forever I didn’t like the vision/styling of this shooting so I decided to put on my own clothes. Luckily I had one decent outfit in my suitcase but it was def not what I envisioned 😅 I stand for glam and elegance for the Finals! I hope they bring back the iconic glam photo! 🙌🏻🫶🏻 @WTA
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) November 7, 2026
Her comments amount to a public criticism of the tournament's creative direction, with the Frenchwoman particularly disappointed by the departure from the glamorous group photographs traditionally associated with the WTA Finals. Those images became a familiar part of the event's presentation, bringing the qualified players together in coordinated, high-fashion settings.
The 2026 edition has adopted a different approach, moving away from the traditional group photograph in favour of individual portraits and smaller editorial-style scenes. The aim is to give players more room to express their individual fashion identities and personalities.
Mladenovic’s response carries even greater significance when considering her track record in the tournament. Having won the doubles title twice, the French player has competed in the WTA Finals on four occasions, emerging victorious in two of them.
Mladenovic and Guo target another major title in Indian Wells
Mladenovic's return to the WTA Finals is the latest chapter in a successful partnership with Guo, which began in 2026 after the Frenchwoman approached the Chinese player about teaming up. They made an immediate impact, winning the Auckland title in their first tournament together before producing an even bigger result at Wimbledon.
The pair defeated second seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3, 7-5 in the Wimbledon final. It was Guo's first Grand Slam title and Mladenovic's seventh women's doubles major, adding to a collection that includes five Australian Open titles, one French Open crown and one Wimbledon trophy in women's doubles. She also has three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
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They face a demanding challenge at Indian Wells. The third seeds have been drawn in Group 1 alongside Dabrowski and Stefani, Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko, and Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang. Mladenovic and Guo are scheduled to open their campaign against Hsieh and Ostapenko on Monday, November 9.
For Mladenovic, the immediate priority will be extending her successful return to the top level of doubles. But her comments have already put the WTA Finals' presentation under scrutiny, with the two-time champion making her preference clear: she wants the glamour and elegance that she believes should define the tournament.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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