In a surprising turn of events, Elena Rybakina has announced that she will be working with her former coach, Stefano Vukov, once again. The announcement came as a shock to many fans and tennis enthusiasts, considering the duo parted ways just last summer.
Rybakina, who won the 2022 Wimbledon title under Vukov’s guidance, had announced their split ahead of the US Open last year. Despite their successful partnership, which also saw Rybakina reach the 2023 Australian Open final and achieve a career-high ranking of World No. 3, the relationship ended on somewhat controversial terms.
Vukov’s intense coaching style, often characterized by his loud and passionate demeanor during matches, drew criticism from fans and fellow coaches. Despite this, Rybakina defended Vukov, stating that they parted ways on good terms.
The reunion comes after a challenging 2024 for Rybakina, marked by injuries and a loss of form. She withdrew from several events, including the Paris Olympics and the US Open. Now, as she heads into the Australian Open, she will have both Vukov and her new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, former coach of Novak Djokovic, supporting her.
Rybakina expressed her excitement about Vukov’s return in a brief Instagram post, thanking her fans for their support and wishing everyone a great 2025. She also mentioned that they have been working together for a couple of weeks and are focusing on improving various aspects of her game.
The tennis world is eagerly watching to see how this reunion will impact Rybakina’s performance. Will the familiar partnership bring back her winning form, or will the new dynamics with Ivanisevic lead to even greater success?
Rybakina in Australia, ranking, and results in 2025
Now the world no.6, Rybakina has managed to achieve a compiled 3-0 match record in 2025. Elena ended her run in the round-robin after defeating Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-1.
