The lush green courts of Wimbledon, typically a sanctuary for Elena Rybakina’s powerful game, became the stage for a stunning third-round defeat on July 5, 2025, as the former champion fell 7-6(8/6), 6-3 to Denmark’s Clara Tauson. The 11th-seeded Kazakh, who claimed the 2022 Wimbledon title, struggled against the world No. 66, whose aggressive play and clinical finishing ended Rybakina’s campaign early. The loss, a blow to her hopes of reclaiming the Venus Rosewater Dish, ignited a firestorm among fans, with many pointing fingers at her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov, and questioning whether their partnership is hindering her progress. “Elena Rybakina is not going to improve with Stefano Vukov behind closed doors,” one fan declared online, capturing the growing unrest in her fanbase.
Rybakina, 25, entered Wimbledon with high expectations, her 2022 triumph and 2024 semi-final run cementing her as a grass-court force. Yet, against Tauson, her game faltered. The first set was a grueling tiebreak, with Tauson’s 12 aces and 28 winners exposing Rybakina’s shaky return play. “I felt I had chances, but I couldn’t convert them,” Rybakina admitted post-match, her frustration evident. The second set saw Tauson break early, capitalizing on Rybakina’s 35 unforced errors to seal a 6-3 victory. “It’s tough to lose like this, especially here,” she added, reflecting on Wimbledon’s special place in her heart. The defeat, costing her 650 ranking points, will see her slide further from the top 10, a stark contrast to her No. 3 peak.
Fans, stunned by the upset, turned their focus to Vukov, whose intense coaching style has long been a point of contention. Social media erupted with criticism, one user lamenting, “She’s got so much potential, but this coaching setup is holding her back.” Vukov, who guided Rybakina to her 2022 Wimbledon title and 2023 Australian Open final, has faced scrutiny for his courtside demeanor, with some accusing him of being overly critical during matches. “Rybakina’s return play is still a massive issue, and Vukov isn’t fixing it,” another fan posted, echoing sentiments about her technical struggles, particularly her 22% return game win rate against Tauson. Others defended the partnership, noting, “She’s won a Grand Slam with him. Give credit where it’s due.” The debate underscores the pressure on Rybakina to evolve, especially after a 2025 season marked by early exits at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Tauson, meanwhile, celebrated a career-defining win. The 22-year-old Dane, a former junior world No. 1, had never advanced past Wimbledon’s first round in three prior attempts. “To win on this stage against someone like Elena, it means everything,” she said, her joy palpable. Her 73% first-serve points and 68% net efficiency overwhelmed Rybakina, marking Tauson’s first Grand Slam fourth-round appearance. “I was just trying to fight for every point,” Tauson added, crediting her aggressive style for the upset. Her next challenge against either Donna Vekic or Paula Badosa promises more drama in a women’s draw already rocked by early exits, including Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
Rybakina’s loss adds to Wimbledon 2025’s narrative of unpredictability, with top seeds falling like dominoes. Her struggles on return, a recurring critique, were evident as she converted just one of four break points. “It’s been a difficult year,” she confessed, acknowledging her failure to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final in 2025. Fans remain divided, with some urging her to part ways with Vukov to unlock her potential, while others see her grass-court affinity as a foundation for a comeback. “Wimbledon is special to me,” Rybakina had said pre-tournament, her 2022 victory a career pinnacle. As she shifts focus to the hard-court season, the debate over her coaching dynamic will linger, but her resilience—forged through past triumphs—suggests she’s far from finished. For now, Tauson’s star rises, while Rybakina faces a crossroads in her quest to reclaim tennis’s biggest stages.
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