Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, declined to join a post-match photograph with WTA Tour chief executive Portia Archer after winning the WTA Finals on Saturday.
Rybakina defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to claim the title, moving to fifth in the world and taking home £3.98m — the largest single-tournament payday in women's tennis history. During the on-court celebrations she stood apart from Sabalenka and Archer despite being invited to be in the photo.
When asked about her decision, Rybakina opted not to give a public explanation. The moment follows a season-long dispute involving her long-time coach Stefano Vukov. Earlier this year an independent investigation found breaches of the WTA's code of conduct, and Vukov was provisionally suspended and initially denied accreditation for the Australian Open.
Rybakina has said she disagreed with some of the WTA's actions regarding Vukov and has consistently maintained she was never mistreated by him. Vukov denied wrongdoing, and his provisional suspension was lifted in August; he was present at the WTA Finals as Rybakina won the title.
Concerns about Vukov's behaviour hav
