"Elena Rybakina's situation could've gone a lot darker" - Andy Roddick & Jon Wertheim weigh in on Kazakh's 'defiant' WTA Finals act

Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim recently spoke up about Elena Rybakina's controversial act of snubbing WTA chief Portia Archer following her title triumph at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rybakina refused to stand alongside Archer and runner-up Aryna Sabalenka during a post-match, on-court photoshoot, with the Kazakh's decision stemming from the WTA's treatment of her coach Stefano Vukov.

According to Andy Roddick, a former ATP No. 1 and the 2003 US Open champion, Elena Rybakina still holds a grudge against the WTA for the way it deemed Vukov guilty of violating its code of conduct. Initially, the Croatian coach was dealt a provisional suspension and subsequently, he was banned for a year, with the ban eventually being lifted in August 2025 following a successful appeal.

"I don't know that anyone's ever been worried about the on-the-court product with Rybakina when all is well, right? There has been some turmoil and obviously there's still some feelings about how everything went down and the fact that they suspended her coach. I don't know how else to define it. I won't go there but there's still seems to be some issue," Roddick said on his 'Served' podcast.

Next, renowned tennis journalist and analyst Jon Wertheim weighed in with his opinion on the Elena Rybakina controversy on the same podcast episode. In Wertheim's view, the WTA wasn't at any fault over Stefano Vukov's suspension. The 55-year-old also brought up the Kazakh's typically cool and calm on-court demeanor and how her snub of the WTA chief was an expression of her personality.

"This is a player who doesn't give up much. I don't know if you saw her reaction on match point, not exactly cartwheels. This is not a player who's particularly expressive, so that gesture, basically not acknowledging the WTA was actually a rare glimpse into her personality," Wertheim said. "I don't think the WTA has any apologizing to do. There is a code of conduct. They determined her coach violated that term of conduct. WTA did nothing wrong in my opinion. But it said something that she's still defiant about that and also, this situation could have gone a lot darker. We should be happy for everyone involved," he added.

Elena Rybakina faced stern criticism from American ex-WTA pro in aftermath of Portia Archer snub

2025 WTA Finals runner-up Aryna Sabalenka (left) with WTA CEO Portia Archer (right) (Source: Getty)

Pam Shriver, former World No. 3 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, didn't take too kindly to Elena Rybakina's refusal to stand alongside Portia Archer for a photo following her 2025 WTA Finals title triumph. Shriver took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

"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."

Elena Rybakina herself though, clarified her stance on the subject later on, saying that the WTA had several opportunities to clear the air with her over its treatment of her coach. However, according to the Kazakh, the women's tennis governing body didn't make the most of those opportunities.

Edited by Sudipto Pati