"The CEO has tried to ensure stronger safeguards in your sports…" - Pam Shriver attacks Elena Rybakina after refusing photo with WTA CEO

Elena Rybakina clinched an unexpected WTA Finals title yesterday against world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0). Despite managing to qualify in the last second, she proved to be too good for anyone in Riyadh, producing some unstoppable tennis. However, this has been overshadowed by her refusal to stand in the picture with WTA CEO Portia Archer.

The Kazakh was almost gliding through periods against the four-time Grand Slam champion, effortlessly hammering big serves and forehands past the reach of Sabalenka. This resulted in her maiden WTA Finals triumph. Not many people would have predicted her to take the crown, but she produced the goods at the right time.

This highly significant victory would only be one of the main talking points in Riyadh. After the match, Rybakina refused to stand with Archer to take a photo. She and her team have not acquitted themselves well with the WTA after her coach Stefano Vukov was suspended. Since coming back, it has seemed Rybakina is still giving Archer and WTA the cold shoulder.

22-time doubles Grand Slam champion Pam Shriver was less than impressed with Rybakina's actions on the night, commenting her feelings on X. "Imagine winning more prize money in one tournament than the entire Original Nine over their collective careers, then dissing WTA CEO because the CEO has tried to ensure stronger safeguards in your sports… it’s hard to imagine," she wrote.

This tweet was not met with many compliments. In turn, it led to a lot of criticism and disagreements in the comments. "Pam, I would have expected better from you here. If you believe Rybakina, her coach was wrongly accused. If you don’t, then she’s reunited w/ a coach who’s abused her. Neither scenario lends itself to a good relationship w/ the WTA right now. She needs prayers, not scorn," one reply stated.

Vukov was provisionally suspended from coaching after investigations prolonged looking into his behaviour towards the 2022 Wimbledon champion. A month later, the Croatian would remain banned from coaching. In turn saw a dip in Rybakina's form, as she struggled for consistency and positive results on the court.

She was also under fire from Shriver, who wanted to have her say on the situation back in January. "It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult like manipulations of players. This is a very sad situation and my prayers are with ER.," she wrote.

This forced Rybakina to respond in a press conference at the 2025 Australian Open. “Well, I get that one of coaches, Pam Shriver, I don't know her personally. She never came to me personally, never talked with me, but I know her story," Rybakina stated. "It's sad, but it doesn't mean other players facing the same issues. Since she doesn't know me, I don't know her, I don't think it's fair to make any comments like that, especially being an active coach, being commentator, journalist, so on.”

In August, Vukov's suspension was overturned and went back to coaching Rybakina ahead of the US Open after his suspension was lifted. This was met with many curious looks with the past rumours and events all out in the world.

It has also led to a frosty relationship between Rybakina and her team, and the WTA, including Archer. The WTA were leading the investigation which saw Vukov banned. However, now he is back and Rybakina is now lifting big titles above her head. The Ningbo Open triumph was closely followed by a semi-final in the Pan Pacific Open. Rybakina withdrew to focus on the WTA Finals, in which she did not lose a match, extending her win-streak to 11 matches.