--- title: "WTA-2026 Drops 40-Year Joint Photo Tradition: Svitolina's Stance Changes WTA Finals Protocol" description: "WTA-2026 abandoned the 40-year tradition of a joint photo of the WTA Finals participants, replacing it with individual portraits. According to journalist Ben Rothenberg, the reason was Elina Svitolina's stance." date: 2026-11-06T10:54:32.778Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/svitolina-wta-finals-2026-photo-tradition tags: [elina-svitolina, wta-finals, tennis, ukraine, mirra-andreeva, aryna-sabalenka] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # WTA-2026 Drops 40-Year Joint Photo Tradition: Svitolina's Stance Changes WTA Finals Protocol ![Elina Svitolina holds the Ukrainian flag in her hands at a tennis tournament](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/06/svitolina-wta-finals-2026-foto-traditsiya/svitolina-wta-finals-2026-foto-traditsiya-1.webp) ## Key Points - WTA-2026 replaced the traditional joint participant photo with a series of individual portraits; presentation scheduled for November 6. - WTA explains the decision through a new concept revealing the individuality of each tennis player. - Journalist Ben Rothenberg claims the cause was Elina Svitolina's refusal to take joint photos with representatives of Russia and Belarus. - Svitolina plays in a group with Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka; first match against Andreeva is on November 9. Ahead of the WTA Finals 2026, the organizers made a decision that breaks one of the most recognizable rituals in women's tennis. Instead of the usual joint photoshoot of participants in evening gowns, this year will feature a series of individual portraits. According to Sport RBC.UA, citing tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina is at the center of this story, whose principled stance, he claims, led to the revision of the long-standing practice. ### Change in a Decades-Old Tradition The joint photoshoot of participants in exquisite evening wear for decades—referencing a 40-year tradition according to the primary source—has been one of the main calling cards of the WTA Finals buildup. In 2026, the organizers replaced the group photo with a series of individual portraits. The official presentation of the images is scheduled for Friday, November 6, on the WTA media platforms. Thus, a format that was considered unchanged for decades has undergone a structural modification for the first time. ### WTA's Official Stance The association's press service explains the decision as an image update. A WTA statement notes that 'the 2026 portraits will feature a new concept focused on the personality of each tennis player' and that they will 'highlight the individuality, personal style, and unique story of each participant, offering fans a fresh perspective on women's tennis stars.' Thus, the association shifts the focus from a potential conflict to a marketing task—better showcasing the charisma and style of each athlete. ### Ben Rothenberg's Version Despite the organizers' attempt to present the situation as a planned update, authoritative tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg claims that the joint photoshoot was disrupted by Elina Svitolina's principled stance. According to him, since the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian athlete has categorically refused any joint photographs and handshakes with representatives of Russia and Belarus. This, according to the journalist, made it impossible to hold the traditional group picture in its previous format. ### Context: Same Group with Andreeva and Sabalenka The tension surrounding the situation is heightened by the fact that Svitolina ended up in the same group with Russian Mirra Andreeva and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. The Ukrainian will start her WTA Finals campaign precisely with a match against Andreeva on November 9. Combining these facts—refusing joint photos and landing in the same group with representatives of Russia and Belarus—makes the question of the reasons behind the format change particularly prominent for the public and the press. ### What's Next The outcome of the discussion regarding the reasons for the format change will become clearer after the official presentation of the portraits on November 6 on the WTA media platforms. Until then, the association's official version and journalist Rothenberg's version remain two different explanations of the same fact—the replacement of the joint picture with individual portraits. In parallel, it was previously reported about the earnings Svitolina and Kostyuk will make at the WTA Finals, which adds a financial context to the event. ## Accounts differ ### Reason for replacing the joint photo with individual portraits - **WTA (association press service):** The decision is explained by a new 2026 portrait concept focused on the personality, individuality, and style of each tennis player. ([sport.rbc.ua](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/skasuvali-40-richnu-traditsiyu-protest-svitolinoyi-1793962150.html)) - **Ben Rothenberg (tennis journalist, citing Sport RBC.UA):** The joint photoshoot was disrupted by Elina Svitolina's principled stance refusing joint photos and handshakes with representatives of Russia and Belarus. ([sport.rbc.ua](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/skasuvali-40-richnu-traditsiyu-protest-svitolinoyi-1793962150.html)) *Where they agree:* The participants' joint photo this year has been replaced by a series of individual portraits; the presentation is scheduled for November 6. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Отменили 40-летнюю традицию: протест Свитолиной заставил WTA изменить регламент Итогового турнира](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/skasuvali-40-richnu-traditsiyu-protest-svitolinoyi-1793962150.html) - The format change (joint photo to individual portraits) and the November 6 presentation date are confirmed by the WTA statement in the text. The reason — Svitolina's stance — is presented as a claim by journalist Ben Rothenberg; the WTA has not officially confirmed this and explains the decision with a new image concept. ## FAQ ### What exactly changed in the WTA-2026 participant presentation? Instead of the traditional joint photo of participants in evening wear, organizers will present a series of individual portraits; the official presentation is scheduled for November 6 on WTA media platforms. ### How does the WTA explain this decision? The WTA calls it a new portrait concept focused on the personality, individuality, and style of each tennis player. ### What alternative version of the reasons exists? Journalist Ben Rothenberg claims that the joint photoshoot was disrupted by Elina Svitolina's stance, refusing joint photos and handshakes with representatives of Russia and Belarus. ### Who will Svitolina play against at the start of the WTA Finals? The Ukrainian will start her campaign with a match against Mirra Andreeva on November 9; Aryna Sabalenka is also in her group.