Former Grand Slam tennis champion and ESPN contributor Pam Shriver wasted no time attacking Elena Rybakina after she won the WTA Finals on Saturday.
At issue was Rybakina’s choice to not pose for photos with WTA CEO Portia Archer and Aryna Sabalenka after the trophy presentation.
Obvious, massive and deliberate snub by Rybakina, who refuses to pose with the WTA CEO at the trophy ceremony. pic.twitter.com/pVRvVfe9dY
— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) November 8, 2025
Rybakina‘s issue with Archer is related to the WTA’s one year suspension of her coach Stefano Vukov in February. Vukov appealed the suspension which was dropped in August. There were many outside opinions about Vukov’s alleged treatment of Rybakina. Rybakina was unhappy with the WTA’s decision including Archer‘s statements on it. At the time, Rybakina mentioned that many people, including Shriver who was coaching Donna Vekic during the heat of the scandal, had an opinion on the issue but never spoke with her personally about it.
When asked about the photo, Rybakina mentioned that she wanted to keep her reasons for opting out of the photo between Archer and herself. She added: “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.”
What Pam Shriver Said About Elena Rybakina
Shriver posted the following message on social media: “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.”
Many came to Rybakina’s defense telling Shriver that she earned the money by winning the event and did not need to be fake and pose for a photo.
Others mentioned that Sabalenka’s appearance in the upcoming “Battle of the Sexes” with Nick Kyrgios who has a documented and checkered past in his dealings with women should be on Archer’s radar. And others mentioned the fact that the WTA Finals is located in Saudi Arabia which is not known for its immense kindness to women.
The irony is that Shriver believes Rybakina was mistreated and disrespected by Vukov, but she is engaging in disrespectful behavior toward Rybakina on social media. As a member of the tennis media, it is surprising behavior prompted by Shriver’s admission that she suffered mistreatment from a coach when she was a player.
