Sabalenka and Swiatek Surprised by WTA CEO’s Sudden Departure

By Erik Gudris | Thursday, April 23, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty

The WTA is back in search of a new CEO.

Portia Archer is stepping down as WTA CEO after less than two years in the role.

According to Reuters, WTA Chair Valerie Camillo announced the departure on Wednesday in a letter to staff, members, and other stakeholders. 

Camillo’s letter did not specify a specific reason for Archer’s departure, though it did state that Archer left the WTA on April 20 ahead of her contract renewal. 

“I am writing to share that Portia has informed us of her decision to step down from her role as CEO, effective April 20, ahead of her contract renewal. We are working through a transition plan for the leadership of the WTA Tour and will share an update on this by mid-May,” Camillo said in the letter. 

Archer’s sudden departure marks the end of her tenure as CEO, which was marked by abrupt changes and controversial decisions. 

At this week’s Madrid Open, several WTA players, when asked about Archer’s resignation, admitted that they were caught off guard by the news.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, speaking to The Guardian, said about the news, “I just (heard) that before going to the match, I feel like she did a great job. I just want the best for the WTA tour, and hopefully we are for a better outcome.”

Former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek said after her first round win, “I heard literally two minutes ago, so I really don’t know why now and everything. We always had a good relationship. I felt like she listened to what we had to say and was really open-minded.”

Belinda Bencic, offered a less-than-positive view on the announcement, saying, “I got the email like, probably, yesterday, so I didn’t know about it, and I honestly didn’t know her so well,” Bencic said (smiling). “I didn’t talk to her so much and she didn’t talk to me so much.”

Archer, previously a senior executive at the NBA, took over as CEO in July 2024. Archer, while overseeing business strategy and expansion into new markets, also had to deal with controversial decisions, some made before her tenure.  

One of those was defending the organization’s decision to move the year-end WTA Finals to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a decision made by her predecessor, Sam Simon, who retired near the end of last year. Archer also explored a potential merger with the ATP Tour.

Another controversial moment occurred at last year’s WTA Finals.

World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who won the event, refused to stand next to Archer during the trophy ceremony.

While Rybakina did not say specifically why she declined to do so, speculation swirled that it was due to the WTA suspending Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov for breaching the WTA’s code of conduct.

Rybakina, who recently won the Australian Open, has consistently said that she has never been mistreated by Vukova. The ban on Vukov was lifted in August of last year.