Sabalenka Refuses To Comment On Rybakina's Controversial Situation With Vukov
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Aryna Sabalenka shares a good relationship with Elena Rybakina, but she did not want to say much about her wanting to work with Stefano Vukov again despite the controversy surrounding him.
Rybakina shocked tennis fans worldwide when she announced on New Year's Day that Vukov would join her team for the 2025 season. The Croatian stopped working with Rybakina in strange circumstances last year.
Vukov became Rybakina's coach in 2019. During more than five years together, the Kazakhstani went from playing in ITF events to becoming the 2022 Wimbledon champion after an unexpected run to glory at SW19.
Rybakina also reached No. 3 in the world during her time with Vukov. She developed her huge serve and trademark powerful groundstrokes under the coach's guidance, becoming one of the world's best players.
However, Vukov was also repeatedly criticized for his treatment of Rybakina. Some were disturbed by his aggressive behavior and harsh comments towards her during matches, feeling it created a toxic relationship.
A few days before last year's US Open, Rybakina and Vukov unexpectedly stopped working together. Neither party stated the reasons for this and the 25-year-old refused to take questions about it during press conferences.
Well-known journalist Sofya Tartakova reported that Rybakina suffered from psychological problems during more than two months away from the WTA Tour after withdrawing a few hours before the US Open second round.
The former Wimbledon champion appointed Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach, and the pair began their partnership during the off-season. Their first event of any kind together was at the World Tennis League (WTL).
Many were shocked when Vukov was pictured at a match involving Rybakina's team at the WTL. It led to concerns that he was following his former player and deliberately trying to make her uncomfortable.
However, the reality turned out to be very different when Rybakina announced that Vukov would rejoin her team for the 2025 Australian Open and the entire season, although Ivanisevic would remain head coach.
That announcement led to the WTA confirming the rumors that Vukov was under investigation and is provisionally suspended. The governing body was concerned that his treatment of Rybakina had broken its code of conduct.
Last year's Miami Open runner-up responded to the WTA's announcement after she and Team Kazakhstan were knocked out of the United Cup in the semifinal. She defended Vukov, said he never abused her, and is not happy about the investigation.
Sabalenka started her season perfectly by winning the Brisbane International. The world No. 1 lost to Rybakina in last year's final at the tournament, but she recovered from losing the first set against Polina Kudermetova to secure the title this time.
Rybakina and Sabalenka are friends off the court, and the Belarusian's coach, Anton Dubrov, knows Vukov well. That naturally made the media interested in Sabalenka's opinion about Rybakina's situation with Vukov, but she did not want to say much about it.
"Honestly, like I'm close to Elena, but not that much to comment anyhow. I know they were working pretty well. I honestly don't know what's going on there. I know they are good with each other. I think there is nothing more to say."
