Elena Rybakina recently addressed rumors surrounding her split with her long-time coach Stefano Vukov, affirming that their separation did not happen under negative circumstances as some reports suggested. The Kazakh tennis star’s clarification came during a press conference at the WTA Finals, where she took the opportunity to set the record straight about what had been circulating regarding her relationship with Vukov and her future coaching plans. Despite media speculation, Rybakina emphasized that their parting was simply a professional decision as she moves into the next phase of her career.
Rybakina, ranked No. 5 in the world, had worked with Vukov for five years, a collaboration that started when she was ranked around No. 200. Together, they accomplished significant milestones, with Vukov guiding her through her ascent in the WTA rankings and ultimately to her breakthrough Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon in 2022. Reflecting on her time with Vukov, she expressed gratitude for their journey together, recognizing the challenges and achievements they shared. Yet, as she seeks to further elevate her game, she feels ready to embark on a new chapter with a fresh perspective. “Honestly, we just parted ways,” Rybakina said, downplaying the drama. “I think we had incredible results over five years. We achieved a lot. But, now, I want to make the next step.”
Rybakina’s decision to end her partnership with Vukov was surrounded by controversy, in part due to rumors that emerged after her withdrawal from the US Open in August, where she was scheduled to compete as a top-seeded player. Not only did she pull out of her second-round match, but reports also surfaced suggesting that Vukov had been removed from the WTA’s official coaching roster. Then, following her absence from the Asian swing tournaments, Russian tennis journalist Sofya Tartakova added fuel to the fire by claiming that Rybakina’s break from tennis stemmed from issues in her relationship with Vukov. According to Tartakova, Rybakina had endured “constant pressure, bad words, and insults” from her coach, leaving her in a “disorganized state” that affected her ability to compete. She also alleged that the Kazakh player’s parents intervened to end the collaboration, citing concerns over Rybakina’s physical and mental health, which had been compromised due to the stress of their working relationship.
However, Rybakina pushed back against these assertions, calling them untrue. While she acknowledged that the separation was a major shift, she reiterated that she and Vukov parted on good terms, with mutual respect and understanding. “Of course, it’s a big change, but I think that it’s going to be a good change,” she said. “It’s not easy when you work with someone for a long time. But we are good with Stefano. I just wish him all the best in his new chapter.”
As Rybakina moves forward, she is already prepared to begin a new coaching partnership with someone highly respected in the tennis world: Goran Ivanisevic. This announcement, which came as she resumed her training in Riyadh, was met with excitement by fans and players alike. Ivanisevic, who famously won Wimbledon in 2001 and later coached Novak Djokovic to 12 Grand Slam titles during their six-year partnership, brings a wealth of experience and expertise. Rybakina is optimistic about the potential benefits of working with the Croatian tennis legend, hoping that his guidance can take her to even greater heights in her career.
Speaking about the upcoming collaboration, Rybakina expressed admiration for Ivanisevic’s accomplishments and was enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. “Really looking forward to this partnership. I think he’s a great champion and has so much experience. I’m really looking forward to starting to work with him,” she shared. She explained that the arrangement came together through her agents, who facilitated the initial connection with Ivanisevic. Once the 2001 Wimbledon champion accepted the offer, Rybakina felt confident that both she and Ivanisevic shared a common excitement and commitment to the journey ahead. “Well, I definitely wanted to work with him. I’m sure, since he said yes, he’s also interested,” she said with a smile. “I want to learn, and I’m just really happy about what we can do together.”
As she prepares to debut under Ivanisevic’s guidance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Rybakina is tempering her expectations. After a two-month hiatus from competitive play, she acknowledges that her current level may not be where she hopes it will eventually be. In her words, her primary focus right now is to “have fun” and see where her game stands among the best players, treating this tournament as a foundation-building experience for next season. “I actually came without much expectation,” Rybakina admitted. “I want to have fun. I want to see where I am, where my level is now playing against the best players. No expectation, just fight, have fun. Most importantly, I want to stay healthy and be ready for pre-season to start fresh for next year.”
With this fresh approach, Rybakina hopes to channel her energy toward self-improvement and health as she heads into a new phase in her career. Her debut with Ivanisevic could mark the beginning of another significant era for the Kazakh player, whose talent and determination have already brought her far. After a challenging few months filled with changes and controversy, Rybakina appears ready to face whatever the future holds, with an experienced coach by her side and a renewed sense of optimism for what lies ahead.