The season-ending showdown for women’s tennis arrived in style in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But when the world’s top eight singles players gathered for their annual official portrait at the WTA Finals 2025, the resulting image sparked more chatter than admiration.
Dressed in luxury gowns and staged in a palatial setting, the photograph drew scrutiny for appearing more bridal-pageant than championship preview.
At the heart of the image were Coco Gauff,Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek, three of the most dominant players of the year, surrounded by the rest of the singles qualifiers.
In the official release, Gauff reflected: “We go all year, tournament to tournament, in sweats and workout gear. This was an opportunity to showcase our personalities and our style, and be showcased in a different light as a whole.”
However, despite that intention, the portrayal prompted a mixed reaction from fans. Many took to social media to question the mood and composition of the photograph, critiquing its stiff posture, somber expressions, and ornate aesthetics.
One fan posted: “Were they told to look miserable?” while another wrote it looked like “a promo for The Real Housewives of Riyadh.”
Glamour meets critique
The shoot took place at the historic resort of Bab Al Saad Resort in the Diriyah district near Riyadh, a location chosen for its grand architecture and dramatic visual backdrop.
The creative team was led by photographer Yumna Al Arashi and directed by Shay Johnson. Designer detail was pronounced: Gauff wore a custom dress by Miu Miu, Sabalenka selected a cape-back gown from Alberta Ferretti, and Swiatek chose a bespoke design by Saudi brand Lurline.
In theory, the goal was to present the athletes not just as competitors, but as global icons in sport and culture.
According to an article in the Financial Times, this approach aligns with the WTA’s push into fashion-inflected marketing, particularly in Saudi Arabia, a country that only allowed women into sports stadiums in 2018.
But the visual gambit also triggered questions about tone. Several fans felt the image lacked the energy and athletic grit that typically characterize sport-specific portraits.
Complicating the optics is the broader backdrop of the WTA’s hosting of the Finals in Saudi Arabia. While the event offers record prize money and global attention for women’s tennis, critics have raised concerns about cultural mismatch and sports-washing.
As noted by the Financial Times, the fashion-forward portrait fits into a broader strategy to repackage the tour’s season as the WTA’s mission to elevate its global brand.
The week ahead, the elite field, including Gauff, Sabalenka, Swiatek and others, moves from this high-style staging back to racquets, baseline rallies, and championship pursuit. After the lens flare and gilded doors, the court remains the truest spotlight.
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