1978 US Open finalist Pam Shriver didn't directly mention Elena Rybakina but her X post was pretty clearly targeted at the Kazakh tennis star after the 26-year-old refused to take a picture with WTA CEO Portia Archer due to the Stefano Vukov case.
In case you missed it, Rybakina had zero interest in posing alongside Porcher following her WTA Finals final triumph over Aryna Sabalenka. Instantly, it was clear that the 2022 Wimbledon champion's act was a deliberate move made to show her frustration with the WTA and their one-year ban of coach Vukov for alleged abuse.
Rybakina refused to take a pic next to the WTA CEO? 👀 pic.twitter.com/A92ps4LLYl
— Lorena Popa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) November 8, 2025
Shriver, who was calling on the WTA to take action against Vukov even before he was suspended, wasn't impressed a bit by the Kazakh's move.
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.
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) November 9, 2025
"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 on X.
What Rybakina said about the controversial situation?
Speaking with the media, the reigning WTA Finals champion didn't want to sugarcoat anything and pretty much confirmed that the relationship between her and women's tennis authorities was strained.
"I think we're all doing our job and we had the opportunity to have conversations but in the end it never happened so we're all doing our job and I think we're going to keep it this way," Rybakina told Reem Abulleil.
Vukov's ban concluded earlier after he successfully appealed and returned to Rybakina's team in August.
