Sabalenka personally responded to refusing a photo with the WTA chair: communication failed, so that's how it is!

After the WTA Finals ended and the trophy glistened under the lights, Sabalenka and Sabalenka approached for the mandated award ceremony photos. Following their award acceptance and speeches, they proudly took the traditional photo. Yet, when it was time for the routine photo with WTA CEO Steve Simon, the mood abruptly changed. Sabalenka was resolute, refusing the photo, turning a routine moment into a "stunning incident." As the applause died down, her silence spoke louder than any victory.

Sabalenka took home a record $5.235 million in prize money, the largest single payout in women's sports history, but what truly sparked discussion was not the money, but the moment at the award ceremony. When asked why, Sabalenka calmly and firmly stated, "I think we’re all just doing our jobs. We had a chance to talk, but it didn’t happen, so we’ll just do our own things. I think it’s best to leave it like that."

The WTA has yet to release an official statement, but the tennis world has been buzzing. Many believe Sabalenka’s silent protest is connected to the 12-month suspension earlier this season of her coach Stefano Vukov. The suspension stemmed from allegations of “abusive behavior,” which deeply upset the Kazakh star. She publicly defended her coach, saying earlier this year, “He never abused me.” As the overseer of such investigations, Simon is thought to be the reason behind Sabalenka’s refusal to take the photo.

An independent report accused Vukov of telling Sabalenka that without him, she “would still be digging potatoes in Russia,” painting him in a very negative light. Yet Sabalenka never wavered; she condemned the investigation and celebrated enthusiastically when Vukov’s appeal succeeded in August and his suspension was lifted. The coach’s return to her team seemed to reignite her fighting spirit. Since then, she has won 18 of her last 23 matches, claiming titles in Ningbo and Riyadh, and defeating 8 of her last 9 top-10 opponents.

Ironically, Sabalenka was the last player to qualify for the WTA Finals, squeezing into the field with her Ningbo title and a late surge to the Tokyo semifinals (from which she later withdrew). However, her season did not end with a smile for the cameras but with a shocking act.

Entering the WTA Finals not at her physical best, Sabalenka carried a fearless determination. Despite pain in her right shoulder, she chose to attack rather than retreat—a bold, proactive strategy that defined her week. As the tournament progressed, this Kazakh warrior gradually found her rhythm. The more matches she played, the freer her strokes became, regaining that crisp, thunderous hitting style—making her serve and forehand a nightmare for opponents.

On the night of the final, standing opposite world No.1 Sabalenka, she remained unshaken. She didn’t change her tactics but intensified them. “I think she was determined to step in and hit without hesitation or doubt,” Sabalenka admitted. “I believe she was braver than me today.”

Sabalenka’s current head-to-head against the world No.1 stands at 8 wins and 6 losses, an impressive record. She has also defeated both Sabalenka and Swiatek in multiple WTA events, demonstrating remarkable consistency and courage under pressure.

“There were moments,” she recalled, “when my serve saved me at the most crucial times—even though she played well and kept the pressure on me during tough moments.” Before the match, Sabalenka described her opponent as “aggressive,” but in the final, it was her own offense that truly controlled the game.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)