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Russian journalist Sofya Tartakova has reported that Elena Rybakina's ex-coach, Stefano Vukov, will travel to Melbourne to support the Kazakhstani star at the 2025 Australian Open. Rybakina and Vukov had a contentious relationship that often caught the eye of fans and pundits and attracted criticism.
The two parted ways just before the 2024 US Open, ending a five-year collaboration. During this period, Rybakina won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2022 Wimbledon championship and rose to the World No. 3 spot. However, the relationship was rocked by several controversies, with Vukov's angry courtside conduct during matches often coming under scrutiny.
After the split in August 2024, Vukov disappeared from the public eye until the 2024 World Tennis League in December, in which Rybakina competed. He was in the stands in Abu Dhabi watching Andrey Rublev and Jordan Thompson compete.
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According to journalist Sofya Tartakova, the Croatian coach is now set to travel to Melbourne on January 4 and support Elena Rybakina at the 2025 Australian Open despite the duo no longer working together. Tartakova posted on social media that she met with Stefano Vukov on December 30. During the conversation, he told her that he and Rybakina were still on good terms and he would support her at the upcoming Grand Slam.
The Croatian also rubbished rumors that the WTA had banned him after his partnership with Rybakina. According to reports in late August, Vukov was removed from the WTA coaches list and banned from the tour. Tartakova also clarified that he will not be by Rybakina's side in Melbourne in any official capacity, and her new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, will continue to lead the team.
Stefano Vukov guided Elena Rybakina to the Australian Open final in 2023
Stefano Vukov has had a massive impact on Elena Rybakina's career, transforming her from an up-and-coming player to one of the best in the world. While their relationship seemed rocky to many watching the sport, he was instrumental in guiding her to Grand Slam success in London in 2022, and the duo came closer to doubling the tally in Melbourne in 2023.
Before 2023, Rybakina had never made it past the third round at the Australian Open. But she turned around her fortunes and defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Kaja Juvan, Danielle Collins, top seed Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Victoria Azarenka to reach her second Major final last year. Aryna Sabalenka ended the Kazakhstani's dream run in the title contest.
In 2024, the World No. 6 suffered an upset loss against Anna Blinkova in the second round. Currently, Rybakina is representing her nation at the 2025 United Cup and has helped her team qualify for the quarterfinals, where it will face defending champion Germany.
