Indian Wells – The traditional WTA Finals group photo, a staple of the season-ending championship for years, will not take place this year, Sport Bild reported. The change comes after Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina declined to participate in a joint photograph with Russian and Belarusian competitors.
The WTA confirmed the absence of the customary team picture, opting instead for individual player portraits.
Svitolina’s Consistent Stance
The decision is rooted in Svitolina’s long-held position since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The world No. 32 has consistently refused to share the court space for joint photographs with players from Russia and Belarus, a stance that extends to her on-court conduct.
In addition to avoiding group photos, Svitolina has not participated in the traditional post-match handshake with players from those nations. This form of protest, which she began immediately following the invasion, is a direct expression of solidarity with her home country, according to her public statements and reporting from major tournaments.
Tournament organizers, including those at the Australian Open, have accommodated her stance by preemptively informing spectators that no handshake would occur in her matches. This measure is implemented to prevent potential misunderstandings or negative reactions from the crowd.
First-Round Clash Highlights the Divide
The policy is set to be put to the test immediately at the WTA Finals. The tournament’s schedule pits Svitolina against 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the first round on Monday, Nov. 9. Their most recent encounter at the Australian Open in January saw Svitolina win the match and, true to form, she declined the customary handshake with her younger opponent.
The WTA Finals feature eight of the world’s best players, with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus also among the contenders. Svitolina’s unwillingness to be photographed alongside Sabalenka and Andreeva is the primary reason the league has abandoned the traditional group shot, a change noted by Sport Bild.
Svitolina's Next Match Awaits
The focus now shifts to the court in Indian Wells. Svitolina’s first-round match against Mirra Andreeva is scheduled for Nov. 9. The outcome of this match and her subsequent performances at the season finale will be closely watched, not only for its sporting significance but also for how the personal and political dimensions of her story continue to unfold on the WTA’s biggest stage. The WTA has not announced any further changes to the event’s format or ceremonies beyond the photoshoot.
Earlier coverage: Elina Svitolina Refuses Group Photo at WTA Finals Over Russian and Belarusian Players
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