Elena Rybakina has added Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching staff. Sanguinetti, who has previously worked with top players like Dinara Safina and Brandon Nakashima, is accompanying Rybakina in Abu Dhabi. This comes after Rybakina ended her trial period with Goran Ivanisevic following her fourth-round exit from the Australian Open last month.
Rybakina is currently the top seed and defending champion at the Abu Dhabi Open. Despite the addition of Sanguinetti, she continues to maintain communication with her suspended coach, Stefano Vukov, who remains provisionally suspended by the WTA pending an investigation into his conduct. Vukov, who has been coaching Rybakina since she was ranked around 200 in the world, is unable to join her at tournaments but remains an important part of her team.
Rybakina has expressed dissatisfaction with the WTA’s handling of the situation, stating that the investigation was not handled well and that she feels she is not being heard. She hopes that the collaboration with Sanguinetti will be successful and that they can work together effectively.
The Kazakh player is set to compete in the main draw of the Abu Dhabi Open, where she will face tough competition from players like Paula Badosa, Daria Kasatkina, Ons Jabeur, and Emma Raducanu. The tournament kicks off on Monday, with the final scheduled for next Saturday.
Elena Rybakina in 2025
Ranked no.5, Rybakina played her last match on the 20th of January when she lost to world no.7 Madison Keys 6-3 1-6 6-3 in the 4th round of the Australian Open (draw).
This year Rybakina has a compiled 6-2 record. Elena Rybakina’s most significant performance of the current year was getting to the semifinal in Australia.
Rybakina is scheduled to compete next in Doha (Qatar TotalEnergies Open). She will start from the main draw that will commence on the 10th of February.