"Stefano Vukov and Elena Rybakina are close, he'll always be there" - Kazakh's new coach Davide Sanguinetti sheds light on team dynamic

Elena Rybakina’s new coach, Davide Sanguinetti, has shared insights into the team dynamics, with Stefano Vukov also on board as her second coach. He said, regardless of circumstances, the duo will always remain close.

Rybakina caused a stir in the tennis world when she rehired Vukov just before the Australian Open, after parting ways with him in August last year. In Melbourne, she also worked with Goran Ivanisevic, making things a bit complicated, with the Croat eventually splitting with her after her run at the tournament ended.

Since Vukov is banned from the WTA and can't coach the Kazakh directly, she needed a second coach to step in, which led her to Sanguinetti. A former ATP pro himself, the Italian has previously mentors players such as Dinara Safina and Brandon Nakashima.

During a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sanguinetti said of his relationship with Stefano Vukov

"Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there. Stefano and I talk a lot, we are on the same wavelength: it’s not a problem to have two coaches, it’s almost a trend now."

Elena Rybakina has been coached by Vukov since 2019 and has reached great heights with him. Her first and only Grand Slam till date came under his guidance only at the Wimbledon Championships in 2022.

"Elena Rybakina should have won more, especially at Slam level" - Davide Sanguinetti

Elena Rybakina pictured at the 2025 Australian Open | Image Source: Getty

Elena Rybakina's new coach, Davide Sanguinetti, revealed in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that he knew Kazakh before taking on the role. He also expressed that she should have won more and wouldn’t be satisfied with just one Grand Slam.

”We already knew each other, we talked, she’s a player I really like: I’ve always been fascinated by her game. In my opinion she should have won more, especially at Slam level: someone like her can’t be satisfied with winning Wimbledon in 2022," he said.

Sanguinetti then spoke about the pressure he feels with this new responsibility but remained hopeful. He referenced his successful experience with Brandon Nakashima as a reason for his confidence.

”It’s a new adventure that I’m taking on with a lot of passion and desire to do well, there’s more pressure because you have to win but I really like this. I come from a positive experience with Nakashima, who went from being number 160 to 35: one door closes and another opens, let’s see how I get in," the Italian said.

Rybakina is currently competing at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she is the defending champion. She has reached the quarterfinals against Ons Jabeur.