Every controversy from WTA Finals 2025: From Elena Rybakina snubbing WTA CEO to Aryna Sabalenka's controversial Russian comments

Elena Rybakina was the last woman standing at the WTA Finals this year. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping encounter, 6-3, 7-6(0).

The WTA Finals lived up to expectations, delivering a fascinating tournament in Riyadh. From close encounters in the group-stage rounds to intense battles in the semifinals, players left everything on the court.

Apart from the tennis, the tournament wasn't short of controversial moments this year. From Elena Rybakina's handshake snub to Amanda Anisimova's unfair bathroom break, let's look at the top six debatable situations from the WTA Finals 2025:

1) Aryna Sabalenka called out again for being a sore loser after the WTA Finals

Sabalenka at the WTA Finals 2025 - Day 7 - Source: Getty

First up is Aryna Sabalenka being called a sore loser.

After a remarkable effort in the initial few rounds, Sabalenka seemed to take out her frustration on Rybakina after losing the final. She used a Russian saying, which meant that even someone lacking skill or experience can occasionally manage to succeed.

One fan tweeted that Sabalenka did the same to Keys during a match in New York (2023).

"Saba said the same thing about Keys during their US Open 2023 match, always disrespecting her WTA colleagues, she has respect only for ATP clownish abusers, ridiculous leader for women tennis."

Another user felt it was high time the Belarusian stopped acting like a sore loser on tour.

"Dude when will she stop acting like this? you’re world #1 and you win a lot every year. be respectful the one time people beat you," one fan said.

Click here to watch more reactions and the complete coverage on this issue.

2) Fans hit back at Pam Shriver for blaming Elena Rybakina's behaviour with the WTA CEO after winning in Riyadh

Shriver at the International Tennis Hall Of Fame Legends Ball - Source: Getty

Elena Rybakina chose to snub the WTA CEO during a photoshoot after winning the title in Riyadh. Her reaction prompted a comment from former player Pam Shriver on social media.

Here's what Shriver said in favor of the WTA CEO:

"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," Shriver wrote.

Fans quickly defended Rybakina's move and made Shriver aware of the actual reasons. One of them said that the WTA unneccesarily leaked details of Rybakina's personal life on tour:

"'Tried to ensure stronger safeguards in your sports' by leaking Elena Rybakina's personal life details? You're sick. Disgusting."

Another fan hit out at Shriver and wrote.

"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."

Click here to see some reactions by fans.

3) Fans also criticize Elena Rybakina for snubbing the WTA CEO during a photoshoot over a controversial situation with coach Stefan Vukov

Rybakina and Vukov at the Cincinnati Open this year - Source: Getty

While some fans supported Elena Rybakina's photoshoot snub, a few also criticized the Kazakh for acting petty on the court. They also felt that her coach Stefan Vukov had the wrong influence on Rybakina's career.

Here are some of the reactions.

"All this clownery over a useless man btw is embarrassing," One fans said

Another fan chimed in and highlighted that the CEO Rybakina snubbed wasn't even responsible for Vukov's ban.

“All of that because of that snake... And she wasn't WTA CEO at that time. You are ridiculous Elena.”

One user commented via 'X'.

“Doing all this because they banned the man who was abusing you okay man anyways congratulations.”

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4) Did Amanda Anisimova use shady tactics to gain an edge over Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals?

Swiatek at the WTA Finals 2025 with Amanda Anisimova - Image Source: Getty

Amanda Anisimova was called out by fans for taking an unexpected toilet break in the middle of a set. The situation became more a talking point since the American chose to do so just before Swiatek's serve.

Here are some reactions by fans on the issue.

Shady tactics? Anisimova went to the bathroom mid set today, right before Iga's serve," One fan wrote. "Why is there a break in a match in the middle of a set? Imagine Iga taking a bathroom break before an opponent's serve. Novels would have been written about it," Another fan added.

As per the WTA rulebook, a toilet break is only allowed between sets and should not be used for any other purpose, such as changing clothes, or nursing medical reasons.

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5) Iga Swiatek feels Karma had a role to play in her defeat against Amanda Anisimova

Swiatek at the WTA Finals 2025 - Day Five - Source: Getty

Iga Swiatek was eliminated in the group-stage of the WTA Finals this year. After defeating Madison Keys in the opening round, she couldn't make her mark against Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova.

Here's what Swiatek said after losing a two hour 40 minute battle against Anisimova.

"I did everything I could today, so no regrets. I felt like I'm really in the zone. I had a positive mindset. Okay, maybe some balls went short or something, but tennis is not going to be perfect." "But I felt good mentally, physically, and tennis wise also. It was nice, you know, looking at the conditions and everything. So I don't really get why I couldn't go out of the group. I don't know, maybe I won too much in last years and this is karma. It's really hard for me to say. It feels kind of, I don't know, weird," she added.

Swiatek still held on to her second spot in the WTA Rankings this year. She captured her maiden title at the Wimbledon Championships in July.

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6) Was Jasmine Paolini given an unfair advantage to enter the WTA Finals this year?

Paolini at the WTA Finals 2025 - Day 1 - Source: Getty

Jasmine Paolini benefited from a WTA rule this year. Despite her withdrawal from the Adelaide International, her participation was counted at the WTA 500 event.

A player must compete in six WTA 500 events to qualify for the WTA Finals, but Paolini technically participated in five this year. She withdrew from Adelaide to get some rest after the United Cup.

The Italian was just four points ahead of Mirra Andreeva in the race to Turin until October. The dice rolled in her favor twice as she avoided a point deduction, and Mirra Andreeva was denied a visa to compete in Tokyo last month.

Here are some reactions by fans after learning how Paolini qualified for the WTA Finals.

"Jasmine Paolini was not penalized with points deduction from the ranking - unlike, for example, Świątek or Sabalenka. The Italian played in 5 and not 6 WTA 500 tournaments this year. The WTA informed me that the lack of penalty stems from the fact that Paolini withdrew from Adelaide for medical reasons," Senkowski wrote. (translated from Polish)

Another fan wrote that the Italian scammed the WTA to enter the WTA Finals.

"Paolini scamming her way into the WTA Finals are we shocked," "Another Paolini scam. Mirra got robbed," One more user weighed in "This time it was Jasmine taking advantage of this but it’s honestly one of the dumbest rules in sports History. If you didn’t play a match, the tournament shouldn’t be counted, who cares about the promotion activities and stuff like that when you don’t play," commented another

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Edited by Aman Mohamed