WTA 2025: Top five controversies

WTA 2025 was one of the greatest seasons in women’s tennis history.

The WTA 2025 season delivered some of the most compelling tennis in modern history, but it was equally defined by the off court drama that unfolded around its biggest stars.

From swirling dating rumours and explosive coaching scandals to racially charged confrontations and bitter clashes with national media, the year offered a vivid reminder that the women’s tour is as emotionally volatile as it is athletically brilliant.

These controversies, layered between landmark performances and historic title runs, shaped the narrative of a season that fans will talk about for years.

Top five controversies of WTA 2025 Season:

Elena Rybakina and Coach Vukov

Elena Rybakina’s coaching turmoil became one of the most turbulent storylines in tennis this season, beginning with the WTA’s provisional suspension of longtime coach Stefano Vukov in early January.

The governing body launched an independent investigation into complaints of abusive and controlling behavior, barring Vukov from player areas and practice courts during the Australian Open.

The Kazakh initially distanced herself and hired 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as head coach, signalling a fresh start. But the controversy flared again when she unexpectedly announced Vukov’s return to her team in late August, just days before the season’s final Slam.

The fallout only deepened as Rybakina’s support staff unravelled around her. Ivanisevic, reportedly blindsided by Vukov’s reinstatement, ended their partnership after just two tournaments, and fitness coach Azuz Simcich soon departed as well.

Reports from European outlets alleged that Vukov’s influence had created an unhealthy dynamic and emotional dependency, accusations Rybakina rejected while insisting she had never been mistreated.

Despite the saga, Rybakina ended the season on a bright note, winning in Riyadh and promising a stronger comeback for the next season.

According to some diligent reporting from @TheAthletic, Elena Rybakina coach Stefan Vukov will serve a one-year suspension that began Jan. 31. And the details it reports are about as bad as you'd think.https://t.co/nGBkp8J6vh pic.twitter.com/nvna7vLzYW

— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) February 12, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka’s distasteful comments after French Open final defeat

Aryna Sabalenka’s comments after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff ignited one of the most polarising debates of 2025. Sabalenka, visibly upset by her shabby performance on the night of the finals, claimed Gauff had benefited from lucky mishits and insisted the match was lost because of her own errors rather than her opponent’s level.

She criticised the conditions, suggested Iga Swiatek would have won the final had she reached it, and repeatedly described her play as terrible.

The remarks were widely condemned as dismissive and ungracious, particularly in the United States, where Gauff remains a universally admired figure.

Days later, Sabalenka publicly apologised, calling her behaviour unprofessional and admitting she had let emotions overwhelm her judgment.

Gauff later revealed she had received a message from Sabalenka acknowledging the mistake, and the two players were even seen dancing together at Wimbledon, signaling the rift had closed.

Aryna Sabalenka was asked about her comments about Coco Gauff after the Roland Garros final, ‘I did what I did and I got what I deserved’Aryna: "Well, we've always been really good with Coco. Honestly, as I said in my statement and in my message to her, I didnt want to offend… pic.twitter.com/FCDGNXu3Uk

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 28, 2025

Iga Swiatek vs Polish Media

Iga Swiatek’s Wimbledon triumph reignited long-simmering tensions with the Polish media, whom she publicly accused of unfair scrutiny during her year-long slump.

After delivering a flawless performance to win her sixth major, Swiatek used her press conference to condemn the “unpleasant” coverage of her form, coaching team and tournament scheduling choices, urging journalists to “leave me alone and let me do my job.”

Weeks later, she doubled down in Montreal, calling much of the reporting “ridiculous” and admitting she was shocked by what she read during a rare break from competition.

Swiatek insisted the criticism was baseless, misinformed and damaging, arguing that despite public pressure, only she and her team understand her process and decisions.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka crowned WTA Player of the Year for second consecutive season

Emma Raducanu dating rumours

The 2025 season brought relentless speculation surrounding Emma Raducanu’s private life, fuelled by persistent rumours linking her to Carlos Alcaraz.

Their partnership in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event only intensified the scrutiny, with broadcasters and former champions noting the pair’s comfortable chemistry on court.

Their joint sponsor appearances and Raducanu being spotted courtside at several of Alcaraz’s matches added further spark, even though both players refused to address the rumours directly.

The gossip broadened when British media also connected Raducanu to compatriot Cameron Norrie, prompting an awkward press conference moment in which Norrie firmly denied any romantic involvement. Social media accounts and tabloids kept the speculation alive throughout the season, often overshadowing Raducanu’s actual tennis.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, was rumoured to have spent time socially with model Brooks Nader, who coyly dismissed questions about dating either him or Jannik Sinner. In the end, none of the players involved confirmed anything beyond friendship.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @emmaraducanu

Jelena Ostapenko termed as racist by Taylor Townsend and co.

Taylor Townsend’s second-round win over Jelena Ostapenko at the 2025 US Open erupted into one of the tournament’s most heated moments.

After Townsend stormed back from 3-5 down to win nine straight games, the handshake at the net instantly turned tense as Ostapenko confronted her, accusing her of having no class and no education and implying she would “see what happens outside the US.”

Townsend revealed the remarks during her on-court interview and later said Ostapenko’s comments were hurtful and offensive, raising questions about possible racial undertones. The exchange spread quickly across social media, triggering strong criticism of Ostapenko and overshadowing the match itself.

The fallout grew when Naomi Osaka publicly stated that telling a Black player she has no education was “one of the worst” things someone could say on court.

Ostapenko eventually issued a public apology on Instagram, claiming frustration over a net-cord point and insisting English was not her first language, which caused her words to come out harsher than intended.

Townsend accepted the apology but emphasised the importance of respecting players’ backgrounds rather than projecting personal expectations onto opponents.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram