Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, reclaimed her place in the winner’s circle on May 24, 2025, clinching the WTA 500 Strasbourg title with a commanding 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1 victory over Liudmila Samsonova. The win, her first in 13 months since the 2024 Stuttgart Open, marked a triumphant return to form for the world No. 5, boosting her ranking to No. 11 and her confidence ahead of the French Open. Yet, the celebration was overshadowed by a polarizing post-match tribute to her former coach, Stefano Vukov, who remains banned from the WTA Tour following a year-long investigation into his conduct. Rybakina’s decision to thank Vukov, coupled with her new coach Davide Sanguinetti’s comments that “we will never be free of Stefano Vukov,” ignited a firestorm among fans, reigniting debates about her complex relationship with the controversial Croatian.
The Strasbourg final showcased Rybakina’s trademark big-serving prowess, as she sealed the match with a second-serve ace, overcoming a 1-4 head-to-head deficit against Samsonova. Her path to the title was fraught with challenges, including a dramatic semifinal comeback against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, where she rallied from 0-2, 15-40 in the third set. “It’s been a while since I’ve been a serious threat to win a tournament,” Rybakina reflected, her understated demeanor belying the significance of ending a 13-month title drought. The victory, worth 500 ranking points, positions her as a formidable contender at Roland Garros, where she faces Argentina’s Julia Riera in the first round. Yet, it was her post-match comments that stole the spotlight, as she dedicated the win to Vukov, her coach of six years, despite his absence from her official team.
Vukov’s one-year suspension, effective from January 31, 2025, stems from a WTA investigation that found him in violation of the tour’s Code of Conduct. Allegations of verbal abuse, including calling Rybakina “stupid” and making derogatory remarks about her Russian heritage, surfaced alongside claims of mental and physical overexertion that left her ill. The investigation, prompted by complaints from figures like Pam Shriver and others in the tennis community, concluded that Vukov’s conduct compromised Rybakina’s psychological and emotional well-being. Despite this, Rybakina has steadfastly defended him, insisting, “He never mistreated me,” a sentiment she reiterated at the Australian Open and Qatar Open earlier this year. “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went,” she said in Doha, expressing frustration with the WTA’s handling of the matter.
The controversy deepened when Sanguinetti, Rybakina’s new coach and a former journeyman player, revealed his close ties to Vukov. “Another important point: he communicates very well and is friends with Stefano Vukov, so I think that’s a big plus for Elena too,” said former world No. 1 Dinara Safina, who worked with Sanguinetti in 2011. Sanguinetti’s candid remark, “We will never be free of Stefano Vukov,” struck a nerve with fans, who took to social media to voice their dismay. “Elena deserves better than being tied to someone the WTA deemed abusive,” one fan wrote, while another lamented, “It’s heartbreaking to see her defend him after everything.” The backlash intensified with reports of Vukov’s continued influence, including his presence at Rybakina’s World Tennis League event in December 2024 and rumors of a romantic relationship, with the pair allegedly sharing a hotel room during the Australian Open.
Rybakina’s coaching saga has been tumultuous. After parting ways with Vukov before the 2024 US Open, she briefly worked with Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach, but their partnership ended after a fourth-round loss in Melbourne. Sources close to Rybakina suggest Ivanisevic was “blindsided” by her decision to reintegrate Vukov, who continued to advise her remotely despite his suspension. “I have never made any complaints,” Rybakina said in Sydney, emphasizing her loyalty to Vukov, who guided her from outside the top 200 to Wimbledon glory and a career-high No. 3 ranking. Her defense has sparked speculation about her autonomy, with some fans and analysts, including Barbara Schett, suggesting Vukov’s influence borders on “brainwashing.”
As Rybakina prepares for Roland Garros, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2024, her Strasbourg triumph is a reminder of her immense talent. Yet, the shadow of Vukov looms large. The WTA’s decision to withhold details of the investigation, citing confidentiality, has fueled further debate, with Rybakina’s supporters arguing she’s been unfairly caught in a broader safeguarding push. “I may be quiet on court, but inside me is a competitive athlete who wants to achieve great things – and Stefano has helped me greatly in this way,” she said, defending Vukov’s intense coaching style. With Sanguinetti now at her side, openly collaborating with Vukov, Rybakina’s team dynamics remain a lightning rod for controversy. As she steps onto the clay, the tennis world watches not just for her forehands and serves, but for the next chapter in a saga that has divided fans and raised questions about power, loyalty, and redemption in the sport.
# Elena Rybakina’s Strasbourg Triumph Sparks Controversy with Tribute to Banned Ex-Coach Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, reclaimed her place in the winner’s circle on May 24, 2025, clinching the WTA 500 Strasbourg title with a commanding 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1 victory over Liudmila Samsonova. The win, her first in 13 months since the 2024 Stuttgart Open, marked a triumphant return to form for the world No. 5, boosting her ranking to No. 11 and her confidence ahead of the French Open. Yet, the celebration was overshadowed by a polarizing post-match tribute to her former coach, Stefano Vukov, who remains banned from the WTA Tour following a year-long investigation into his conduct. Rybakina’s decision to thank Vukov, coupled with her new coach Davide Sanguinetti’s comments that “we will never be free of Stefano Vukov,” ignited a firestorm among fans, reigniting debates about her complex relationship with the controversial Croatian.
The Strasbourg final showcased Rybakina’s trademark big-serving prowess, as she sealed the match with a second-serve ace, overcoming a 1-4 head-to-head deficit against Samsonova. Her path to the title was fraught with challenges, including a dramatic semifinal comeback against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, where she rallied from 0-2, 15-40 in the third set. “It’s been a while since I’ve been a serious threat to win a tournament,” Rybakina reflected, her understated demeanor belying the significance of ending a 13-month title drought. The victory, worth 500 ranking points, positions her as a formidable contender at Roland Garros, where she faces Argentina’s Julia Riera in the first round. Yet, it was her post-match comments that stole the spotlight, as she dedicated the win to Vukov, her coach of six years, despite his absence from her official team.
Vukov’s one-year suspension, effective from January 31, 2025, stems from a WTA investigation that found him in violation of the tour’s Code of Conduct. Allegations of verbal abuse, including calling Rybakina “stupid” and making derogatory remarks about her Russian heritage, surfaced alongside claims of mental and physical overexertion that left her ill. The investigation, prompted by complaints from figures like Pam Shriver and others in the tennis community, concluded that Vukov’s conduct compromised Rybakina’s psychological and emotional well-being. Despite this, Rybakina has steadfastly defended him, insisting, “He never mistreated me,” a sentiment she reiterated at the Australian Open and Qatar Open earlier this year. “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went,” she said in Doha, expressing frustration with the WTA’s handling of the matter.
The controversy deepened when Sanguinetti, Rybakina’s new coach and a former journeyman player, revealed his close ties to Vukov. “Another important point: he communicates very well and is friends with Stefano Vukov, so I think that’s a big plus for Elena too,” said former world No. 1 Dinara Safina, who worked with Sanguinetti in 2011. Sanguinetti’s candid remark, “We will never be free of Stefano Vukov,” struck a nerve with fans, who took to social media to voice their dismay. “Elena deserves better than being tied to someone the WTA deemed abusive,” one fan wrote, while another lamented, “It’s heartbreaking to see her defend him after everything.” The backlash intensified with reports of Vukov’s continued influence, including his presence at Rybakina’s World Tennis League event in December 2024 and rumors of a romantic relationship, with the pair allegedly sharing a hotel room during the Australian Open.
Rybakina’s coaching saga has been tumultuous. After parting ways with Vukov before the 2024 US Open, she briefly worked with Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach, but their partnership ended after a fourth-round loss in Melbourne. Sources close to Rybakina suggest Ivanisevic was “blindsided” by her decision to reintegrate Vukov, who continued to advise her remotely despite his suspension. “I have never made any complaints,” Rybakina said in Sydney, emphasizing her loyalty to Vukov, who guided her from outside the top 200 to Wimbledon glory and a career-high No. 3 ranking. Her defense has sparked speculation about her autonomy, with some fans and analysts, including Barbara Schett, suggesting Vukov’s influence borders on “brainwashing.”
As Rybakina prepares for Roland Garros, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2024, her Strasbourg triumph is a reminder of her immense talent. Yet, the shadow of Vukov looms large. The WTA’s decision to withhold details of the investigation, citing confidentiality, has fueled further debate, with Rybakina’s supporters arguing she’s been unfairly caught in a broader safeguarding push. “I may be quiet on court, but inside me is a competitive athlete who wants to achieve great things – and Stefano has helped me greatly in this way,” she said, defending Vukov’s intense coaching style. With Sanguinetti now at her side, openly collaborating with Vukov, Rybakina’s team dynamics remain a lightning rod for controversy. As she steps onto the clay, the tennis world watches not just for her forehands and serves, but for the next chapter in a saga that has divided fans and raised questions about power, loyalty, and redemption in the sport.
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