Elena Rybakina, who is content with Stefano Vukov’s coaching style, expresses her optimism that the dispute involving her coach has been resolved.
Since 2019, former professional player Vukov has been a part of Rybakina’s coaching staff. Last year, their efforts paid off when Rybakina became the first Kazakh player to win a Grand Slam when she claimed the Wimbledon crown. She subsequently had a second miraculous run at the Australian Open this year, finishing second behind Aryna Sabalenka, although the experience was tainted by remarks against her coach.
Vukov received criticism for his conduct during the semifinal victory against Victoria Azarenka, and he received additional criticism during the championship match against Sabalenka.
Commentator Pam Shriver was quite harsh vs. Stefano Vukov, tweeting: “As I watch Rybakina try to win her second major in 7 months, I hope she finds a coach who speaks and treats her with respect at ALL times and does not ever accept anything less.”
“People don’t really know us that well and like to comment or say something that they don’t know,” said Rybakina to Tennis Channel.
“It’s not their business at the end of the day. I think it was kind of disrespectful to him and to me.I just had to do it so everybody knows that whatever they can see or think, they don’t know us. Hopefully, we won’t get any other comments like these,” she added.
Rybakina in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2023
Now ranked no.10 (career-high), the Kazakhstani achieved an overall 14-4 record in 2023. Rybakina is playing in Indian Wells where she beat the world no.170 Sofia Kenin 7-66 7-65, the world no.22 Paula Badosa Gibert 6-3 7-5, the world no.66 Varvara Gracheva 6-3 6-0 and the world no.76 Karolina Muchova 7-64 2-6 6-4.
Elena Rybakina will face the world no.1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinal on Friday at 6:00 pm on STADIUM 1. Their record is 1-1.
The Kazakhstani was the runner-up at the Australian Open.
Rybakina has scheduled to play next in Miami (Miami Open). She will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 21st of March.
Swiatek in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2023
Now the world no.1, the Pole has managed to achieve an overall 16-3 match record in 2023. Iga is currently competing in Indian Wells where she beat the world no.56 Claire Liu 6-0 6-1, the world no.36 Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-3 7-61, the world no.77 Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-1 and the world no.83 Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-3.
Iga Swiatek will face the world no.10 Elena Rybakina in the semifinal on Friday at 6:00 pm on STADIUM 1. The head to head is 1-1.
The Pole clinched 1 title in 2023 in Doha. Swiatek reached the final in Dubai (Dubai Duty Free Championships).
The Pole won 12 titles in her career: 7 on hard courts and 5 on clay courts. (See the list of her titles)
Swiatek will play next in Miami (Miami Open). She will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 21st of March.
Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek squared off only on 2 occasions. Their current head to head is 1-1. Previously, the last time they squared off, Elena Rybakina won 6-4 6-4 in the 4th round in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 22nd of January 2023.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek |
| Embed from Getty Images |
