In a surprising turn of events, Elena Rybakina has revealed that she is reuniting with her former coach Stefano Vukov, just a few months after their highly publicized split. The 2022 Wimbledon champion made the announcement on Instagram, disclosing that Vukov will be returning to her coaching team as an assistant to her current head coach, Goran Ivanisevic. This unforeseen development comes after Rybakina and Vukov went their separate ways in August 2024, bringing an end to a five-year partnership that had seen great success but also faced significant controversy.
Rybakina and Vukov’s previous partnership was incredibly successful. Together, they reached the pinnacle of tennis success, with Rybakina securing her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022. However, their relationship was also marred by public criticism, particularly towards Vukov’s fiery temperament and aggressive behavior during matches.
Renowned tennis figure Pam Shriver has been one of Vukov’s most vocal critics, expressing that Rybakina deserves a coach who respects her at all times. In response to the news of their reunion, Shriver commented: “It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulation of players. This is a very sad situation and my prayers are with ER.”
The decision to bring back Vukov as an assistant coach for the 2025 season has definitely caused a stir in the tennis community. While Rybakina clearly values his tactical expertise, there are concerns about the potential risks involved, given their tumultuous history. With Ivanisevic as the head coach, there may be a stabilizing influence, but uncertainties remain about how this coaching dynamic will unfold.
Rybakina has started the 2025 season in impressive form, leading Kazakhstan to the United Cup semifinals with a flawless record of four match wins.
