In the ever-evolving saga of Elena Rybakina’s tennis career, a fresh twist has left the sport’s faithful scratching their heads and flooding social media with bewilderment. The 25-year-old Kazakh sensation, a former Wimbledon champion whose stoic demeanor and powerful game have earned her a legion of admirers, was recently spotted honing her skills on a practice court alongside none other than Stefano Vukov—her former coach, whose presence in her orbit continues to stir controversy. This sighting, captured just as the clay-court season looms on the horizon, has reignited debates about their complex relationship, especially given Vukov’s current ban from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), a sanction that’s kept him off official tournament grounds since early 2025.
The scene unfolded at a private tennis club, far from the prying eyes of WTA jurisdiction, where Rybakina was seen rallying with Vukov in a session that appeared as intense as it was unexpected. For a player who’s navigated a rollercoaster of highs and lows—clinching the 2022 Wimbledon title under Vukov’s guidance, only to part ways with him before the 2024 US Open—the reunion on the practice court felt like a plot twist straight out of a tennis thriller. Vukov, a Croatian coach known for his fiery demeanor and unorthodox methods, had been a polarizing figure during their five-year partnership. His animated outbursts and relentless critiques from the sidelines once drew sharp rebukes from commentators and peers, yet Rybakina consistently stood by him, insisting he’d never crossed a line. “He never mistreated me,” she’d said in the past, her voice firm despite the mounting scrutiny.
That scrutiny reached a crescendo earlier this year when the WTA handed Vukov a one-year suspension following an investigation into allegations of mental abuse. Reports painted a troubling picture: a coach whose intensity allegedly tipped into toxicity, pushing Rybakina to emotional and physical breaking points. Whispers of harassment and derogatory remarks surfaced, with some claiming the strain contributed to her spate of injuries and withdrawals in 2024. Yet, even as the ban barred him from credentialed access to tournaments, Rybakina shocked the tennis world by welcoming him back into her fold at the start of 2025. “I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” she declared in a statement that sent ripples through the sport, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning her judgment.
The practice court sighting only deepened the mystery. With the clay swing—featuring marquee events like the French Open—fast approaching, Rybakina’s decision to train with Vukov at a private facility suggests a workaround to his official exile. Photos circulating online showed the pair locked in a familiar rhythm: Vukov barking instructions, Rybakina responding with her trademark focus. For some, it was a troubling sign of dependency. “Elena Rybakina is so firmly stuck to Stefano Vukov,” one observer lamented, echoing a sentiment shared by many who fear she’s tethered to a figure they view as detrimental to her career. Others speculated about the logistics, noting that a private club sidesteps WTA oversight, allowing Vukov to remain a shadow influence despite his suspension.
Rybakina’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag thus far. After a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open—where she’d briefly worked with Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic, only to see that partnership dissolve—she roared through the Middle East swing, reaching semifinals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the quarterfinals in Doha. Now, with Davide Sanguinetti as her official coach, she’s preparing for the clay courts, a surface that’s tested her in the past. Yet Vukov’s lingering presence raises questions about who’s truly steering her ship. “We are working with Davide,” she said recently, adding, “Sometimes we speak with Stefano since they know each other.” It’s a cryptic arrangement that’s left fans baffled and concerned in equal measure.
The tennis community’s reaction has been visceral. Some see Rybakina as a victim, ensnared by a coach whose influence—professional and reportedly personal—has clouded her path. Others admire her loyalty, viewing it as a testament to the bond that propelled her to Grand Slam glory. “It’s her decision after all,” one supporter mused, though the sentiment was tinged with worry about whether Vukov’s return might “kill her vibe and bring back bad habits.” For now, Rybakina remains an enigma: a world-class talent whose choices defy convention, keeping her at the center of a narrative as gripping as any match she’s played. As she gears up for the clay season, all eyes will be on her—not just for her forehands and serves, but for the shadow cast by the man on the practice court, a figure who refuses to fade from her story.
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