Serena Williams' ex-coach gives bold reaction to Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova-led WTA Finals' controversial photoshoot in Saudi Arabia

Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and five other top-eight players participated in the WTA Finals photoshoot at the Bab AlSaad Resort in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. With the tournament starting on Saturday, the pictures of the photo session were revealed and several fans are actually getting bored with the same thing repeating year after year.

Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, agreed with the strong criticism from Eliza Westcoat towards the controversial photoshoot in Saudi Arabia. Westcoat said it was a "huge missed media opportunity for the WTA" and suggested the "photo should be aspirational, high-end, and editorial."

"It’s a HUGE media opportunity for the sport to make a splash and yet we roll out the same boring approach year on year," she captioned.

Under the comments section, Stubbs shares her reaction to the critique. She wrote:

"Agreed."

Comments section

According to Eliza Westcoat, the photoshoot should have a trophy to suggest that these are sportswomen standing in front. Without the trophy or anything suggesting something similar, they might as well be "waiting for a Saudi prince to come and rescue them from their tower."

Westcoat also called out the creativity of the photoshoot, arguing that it failed to show the players’ personalities, individuality, or excitement.

WTA Finals photoshoot details ft. Coco Gauff's reaction

The 2025 WTA Finals photoshoot was shot by photographer Yumna Al‑Arashi. All players came in wearing high-fashion gowns and luxury jewellery instead of their usual sportswear.

Coco Gauff wore a custom dress from Miu Miu with jewels by Apoa. Talking about the photoshoot, she said:

“It was nice to see everyone dressed up in different fashions and styles, and it’s always fun to get glammed up. We go all year, tournament to tournament, in sweats and workout gear. This was an opportunity to showcase our personalities and our style, and be showcased in a different light as a whole.”

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka opted to wear Alberta Ferretti's outfit. Meanwhile, Iga Świątek wore a custom gown by Saudi brand Lurline, designed by sisters Sarah & Siham Albinali.

The top eight WTA-ranked players are featuring in this tournament. Two groups have been made and every player will take on the other player of the same group in a round-robin format. At the end of the group stage, the top two players from each group will feature in the semifinals.

Edited by Krutik Jain