"Who keeps putting Iga Swiatek in bedsheets";"They all look sad" - Fans unimpressed by WTA Finals photoshoot ft. Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka

The eagerly-awaited official 2025 WTA Finals pre-tournament photo is out, but as far as tennis fans' reactions to it are concerned, it's fair to say most have been left rather disappointed by it. According to many fans, not much was done to make Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and the other players look at their best for the photo in the buildup to women's tennis' prestigious year-end event.

On Friday, October 31, the official social media handles of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) posted the photo featuring Gauff, Sabalenka, Swiatek alongside the other stars who qualified for the year-end event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys and Jasmine Paolini. All eight players wore dresses, as has become the norm for such photos.

However, tennis fans spanning X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit had plenty of criticism for the photo. A few criticized the dresses some of the players were made to wear, while others questioned the overall composition of the photo. There were some who didn't like the poses and expressions the players chose for the photo as well.

"Who keeps putting Iga in bedsheets because atp I think it’s her. I love Amanda’s dress," one fan wrote. "They all look sad,older than they are and this photo gives no emotion," commented another. "Were they told to look miserable?," another fan chimed in. "It looks like a promo for The Real Housewives of Riyadh," joked one fan. "Posing looks stiff and vibe is very early 2000s, I"m not sure its a finals worthy look. WTA is really not giving these ladies what they deserve," another added. "Wonderful, smart, athletic, strong, beautiful women - however quite a disappointing photo," weighed in yet another fan.

"Coco Gauff should be confident" - Defending WTA Finals champion's chances in Riyadh this year assessed by record eight-time champion of the year-end event

Coco Gauff celebrates her WTA Finals title triumph in 2024 (Source: Getty)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosted the WTA Finals for the first time in 2024, and here, it was Coco Gauff who came away with the title after defeating Zheng Qinwen in the final. The American has arrived in Riyadh this year on the back of a title triumph at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open. According to record eight-time singles champion at the WTA Finals, Martina Navratilova, Gauff's confidence should be high in the buildup to the event.

"Her movement is better than anybody else. She can always depend on that. It’s the one thing fully under her control. She knows she can run and defend no matter what. Then she manages the rest. When she comes forward, she has a very good volley and it’s hard to get the ball past her. She just won in Wuhan, so she should be confident," Navratilova told the official WTA website.

The first day of action at the 2025 WTA Finals, on Saturday, November 1, will see Iga Swiatek take on Madison Keys, followed by a clash between Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina. The very next day, Gauff will begin her title defense against compatriot Jessica Pegula, while Aryna Sabalenka will lock horns with Jasmine Paolini.

Edited by Sudipto Pati