"All this clownery over a useless man";"Stefano Vukov has brainwashed her" - Fans call out Elena Rybakina for snubbing WTA CEO after WTA Finals win

On Saturday, November 8, Elena Rybakina emerged triumphant at the WTA Finals after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the summit clash. After the match, the Kazakh refused to pose with WTA CEO Portia Archer for photos during the trophy ceremony and fans were quick to share their opinions on the same.

Rybakina enjoyed an incredible week of action in Riyadh. She kicked off her time at the WTA Finals with wins over Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek and Ekaterina Alexandrova, going undefeated in her group stage matches. She then outdid Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, before upsetting World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the finals to win her first title at the event.

After her win over Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina pointedly refused to pose with WTA CEO Portia Archer during the trophy ceremony, with many assuming the action was an act of protest against the WTA's ban of her coach Stefano Vukov earlier this year. Reacting to the incident, one fan on X wrote,

“All this clownery over a useless man btw embarrassing.”

Another fan called Rybakina ‘brainwashed’, writing,

“Vukov has brainwashed her."

Here is how other fans reacted to Elena Rybakina snubbing the WTA CEO during the WTA Finals trophy ceremony:

“Athletes do shit like this and then act surprised when they get suspended. This is a privately owned business, and you are an employee. Do your job and shut up like the rest of us do at work,” one fan wrote. “Girl you kidding me? You're okay with being called stupid & "staying in Russia picking potatoes" without him?!,” another added. “Doing all this because they banned the man who was abusing you okay man anyways congratulations,” one X user commented. “All of that because of that snake... And she wasn't WTA CEO at that time. You are ridiculous Elena,” yet another fan chimed in.

Elena Rybakina to end 2025 as World No.5 after triumphant WTA Finals outing

Rybakina at the WTA Finals 2025 (Image Source: Getty)

Elena Rybakina's performance at the WTA Finals has been nothing short of incredible. The Kazakh began her campaign in the event with a straight sets win over Amanda Anisimova, before going on to oust Iga Swiatek and Ekaterina Alexandrova in a similar dominant fashion.

In her semifinals match, Rybakina was pushed to three sets by Jessica Pegula, but the 26-year-old was able to prevail after a clinical display in the second half of the game. She followed this up with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the summit clash to win her maiden WTA Finals crown.

With this win, Elena Rybakina has moved up a spot in the WTA Rankings and will end the 2025 season as the World No.5.

Edited by Riddhi Acharya