Rybakina Shocks With Reappointment Of Controversial Ex-Coach Vukov
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Elena Rybakina has announced that ex-coach Stefano Vukov will be on her team for the Australian Open and the entire 2025 season, completing an extraordinary U-turn that few saw coming.
When Rybakina announced their split a few days before last year's US Open, it seemed like she had moved on from Vukov forever. He had been her coach for over five years before they parted ways.
Rybakina was playing in low-level ITF events when Vukov began coaching her in 2019. She subsequently won the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and multiple WTA 1000 tournaments.
Although their time together was successful, Vukov was repeatedly criticized for behavior many perceived as harsh and abusive to Rybakina. However, the Kazakhstani always defended the Croatian by saying he was trying to give her energy.
Rybakina did not state the reasons for splitting with Vukov and refused to take questions about it at the US Open before withdrawing from the tournament in New York a few hours before her second-round match.
Much speculation followed in the weeks after about the true reasons for their split. Well-known journalist Sofya Tartakova reported that Rybakina suffered from psychological problems because of her time working with Vukov.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion was absent from the WTA Tour for over two months before eventually returning at the WTA Finals. She could not make the semifinals at the season-ending event but did beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Rybakina announced at the WTA Finals that Goran Ivanisevic would become her coach during the off-season before 2025. The 2001 Wimbledon winner helped Novak Djokovic win 10 Grand Slams during their nearly five-year partnership from 2019 to 2024.
Rumors persisted after the announcement that Vukov had been banned from the WTA Tour. Some wondered whether that could be linked to his treatment of Rybakina behind the scenes, but there was no confirmation that a ban was in place.
Vukov made a surprising appearance at the World Tennis League last month, an exhibition held during the off-season that Rybakina persisted. That led to concerns among the Kazakhstani's fans that he was following her.
Rybakina's split from Vukov and her absence from the WTA Tour meant it was a huge surprise when Tartakova said Vukov had informed her that he would support Rybakina at the Australian Open.
Ryabkina confirmed that news in an Instagram story. The 25-year-old said Vukov would not just join her team for the Australian Open but for the entire season. However, Ivanisevic is still her leading coach.
"Hello everyone, I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season. Thank you all for the support and wishing you a great 2025."
It is one of the most remarkable off-court turnarounds on the ATP or WTA Tour in recent years. Many thought Vukov would never work on the WTA Tour again, but he has now joined the same player he left in such strange circumstances.
The Croatian coach undoubtedly understands her and her game well, but it might also lead to Rybakina being repeatedly asked about him at press conferences throughout the Australian Open.
