Elena Rybakina can’t catch a break. The Kazakh, marred by injury concerns and a split with ex-coach Stefano Vukov, is facing more trouble than meets the eye. Subsequently, Aryna Sabalenka‘s coach Anton Dubrov revealed shocking information about the WTA star. Not only that, the Belarusian coach also hinted that Rybakina’s issues are more psychosomatic than just physiological.
The 25-year-old was last seen in action at the US Open. She secured a spot in the second round before withdrawing from the New York event due to physical limitations. Just days ago, she broke up with former coach Stefano Vukov, and later, reports surrounding his ban from the WTA emerged. However, things looked more troublesome when Rybakina pulled out of the ongoing China Open, announcing she would skip the entire Asian hardcourt swing.
The Kazakh later voiced the reasons behind her no-show at these events in a poignant admission via her social media handle. “Due to an ongoing back injury, I regretfully have to withdraw from the upcoming Asian tournaments. While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical team and I have decided it’s best to prioritize my health at this time.” As a result, Sabalenka’s coach gave his first-hand take on her issues and termed why the 2022 Wimbledon champion is struggling to return to her former formidable self.
Seated with the ‘Champion’ for an interview, the Belarusian coach highlighted that although his team refrained from indulging in personal affairs, the former World No. 3 would often express that her “Immune system is low” whenever they crossed paths at an event. For those unaware, the Kazakh has been unable to restore her health since she contracted COVID-19 in 2023.
He said, “We communicate well on the courts, but we don’t go too far in personal matters. If she wants, she’ll talk about it. Maybe motivation or health. When we met at tournaments, she might not feel so good. She would just say: ‘Immune system is low.’ Neither I nor anyone from the team knows. We didn’t write to her personally, because we don’t think it’s quite right.” Furthermore, Dubrov also stated that Rybakina’s former coach’s alleged ban is something not expressly discussed within the Tour. “It’s not something that’s discussed on tour. Maybe they had such a fight that she approached the WTA and asked them to remove his name, that he was coaching her. There were internal matters.”
While Rybakina abstained from commenting on her ex-coach’s potential fallout within the WTA, a prominent tennis journalist explicitly mentioned why Rybakina decided to call it quits on her seven-year partnership with Vukov.
Tennis insider makes shocking claim on Elena Rybakina’s former coach’s ‘vicious cycle’ insult
Tennis journalist Sonya Tartakova made a damning admission surrounding the reality behind Elena Rybakina’s breakup with former coach Stefano Vukov. In an interview with the YouTube channel ‘Tennis Bolshei,’ the journalist disclosed that Vukov’s poor attitude, coupled with hurling constant abuse at the Kazakh, is what turned their once successful partnership sour. Furthermore, Tartakova also highlighted that Rybakina’s parents took it upon themselves to break the ‘vicious cycle’ that developed between the duo.
“Rybakina’s parents stood up for her because she could not break this vicious circle. Her parents insisted that Lena change something in her tennis life because there was pressure, insults, and bad words said to her. They were constantly from Vukov’s lips,” spoke Tartakova.
All this might affect Rybakina’s timely return to the Tour. With no coach to aid her and physical troubles mounting, the Kazakh might endure extensive downtime before marking her attendance on the professional circuit.
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