Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has parted ways with her longtime coach Stefano Vukov after five years of collaboration. The announcement was made by Rybakina herself on her Instagram stories on Thursday.
Rybakina’s decision to end her partnership with Vukov comes ahead of the 2024 US Open. The Kazakh player has worked with Vukov throughout her rise up the WTA rankings, achieving significant success under his guidance. However, Vukov’s coaching style has attracted criticism from fans and fellow coaches, including Hall of Famer Pam Shriver.
Shriver, who currently coaches Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic, has expressed concerns about Vukov’s treatment of Rybakina. In a tweet in 2023, Shriver stated, “I hope she finds a coach who speaks and treats her with respect at ALL times and does not ever accept anything less.”
Rybakina responded to Shriver’s comments with a strong defense of Vukov, claiming that he is a passionate coach with a deep understanding of her as a person and an athlete. She emphasized that she would never tolerate a coach who did not respect her or their hard work.
Despite her defense of Vukov, Rybakina has now decided to end their partnership. The Kazakh player has not yet announced a replacement coach. She is scheduled to play her first round at the US Open against Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava.
Rybakina’s decision to part ways with Vukov is a significant development in her career. It remains to be seen how this change will impact her performance on the court. However, the Kazakh player has proven her resilience and determination in the past, and she will undoubtedly be looking to continue her success in the future.
