Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football newsletterElena Rybakina appeared to refuse a photo with WTA Tour chief executive Portia Archer after defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals and a record prize of $5.23m (£3.98m).The former Wimbledon champion won her biggest title in three years as she defeated the World No 1 in straight-sets on Saturday. During the WTA trophy presentation, Rybakina declined to take a photo with Sabalenka or WTA chief Archer. Rybakina remained on the sidelines, even when an official asked her to stand with Archer for the photo. Rybakina won over $5m for winning the WTA Finals undefeated (Getty)The WTA banned Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov earlier this year following an investigation into potential breaches of the WTA’s Code of Conduct and allegations of “abusive behaviour” Towards the former Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who split with Vukov before last year’s US Open, said ahead of the Australian Open in January that Vukov had “never mistreated me” and expressed her disappointment at Vukov’s suspension from attending events. Vukov filed an appeal against the suspension. In August, the ban was lifted and the coach joined Rybakina on the WTA Tour. Vukov was in Rybakina’s coaching box throughout the WTA Finals, where she completed her strong end-of-season form to win all five of her matches and win the biggest single payday in women’s tennis history. Rybakina refused to comment on why she did not join Archer in the photo. Rybakina, however, was asked by The Athletic if she had spoken to the WTA Tour regarding their investigation of Vukov. She said: “Well, I think we’re all doing our job, and we had the opportunity to have conversations, but in the end, they never happened. So we’re all doing our job, and I think we’re going to keep it this way.”Rybakina’s performance against in the final against Sabalenka, which combined unstoppable serving and destructive groundstrokes, suggested the 26-year-old could once again compete for grand slam titles following a frustrating period of illness and a loss of form since her last major final at the Australian Open in 2023, where she lost to Sabalenka in three sets.Rybakina was the last player to qualify for the WTA Finals but swept to her 11th consecutive win to continue her excellent end-of-season form. Rybakina stated that it had been an amazing week. “I didn’t think I would get any results, but to have come this far is incredible. Today’s battle was so tough.The WTA Tour has been contacted to comment
2025-11-10 10:27:30
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