Elena Rybakina’s shock Stefano Vukov reunion raises ‘huge question mark’ – ‘it wasn’t the healthiest relationship’
Former world No 9 Coco Vandeweghe has questioned Elena Rybakina’s shock decision to rehire coach Stefano Vukov as she feels the pair’s previous relationship “wasn’t the healthiest.”
Rybakina confirmed on Wednesday that Vukov will re-join her coaching team for the 2025 campaign after the pair parted ways in August.
“Hello everyone. I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” the 25-year-old wrote on her Instagram story.
“Thank you for all the support. And wishing you a great 2025.”
The announcement came after Russian tennis journalist Sofya Tartakova reported that Vukov will be present in Melbourne to support Rybakina at this month’s Australian Open, which will begin on January 12.
“Stefano Vukov will support Lena Rybakina at the Australian Open 2025,” Tartakova wrote on X. “Stefano informed me that he will travel to Melbourne on January 4. Vukov said he is in touch with Lena and NO BAN for him from WTA.”
Rybakina appointed Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach ahead of the 2025 season, and it is unclear whether the former Wimbledon winner’s role in the team will be impacted by Vukov’s return.
Elena Rybakina News
Elena Rybakina rehires coach Stefano Vukov for 2025 season in shock move before Australian Open
Novak Djokovic gives his verdict on Elena Rybakina hiring his former coach Goran Ivanisevic
The world No 6 won all eight of her WTA titles to date, including the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, while working with Vukov, having appointed the Croatian coach in February 2019.
Speaking on Tennis Channel after the news emerged, Vandeweghe struggled to understand Rybakina’s decision.
“As we saw, in just different snippets, it wasn’t the healthiest of relationships when they did split, so I’m kind of putting a huge question mark out here,” the American admitted.
“Why this decision making? You’ve just signed on Goran, why would you go back to the old? You’re here for a new voice and a different kind of perspective, so why would you go back to an old coach that… maybe it wasn’t the healthiest.
“But only Elena knows her own reasoning, her own motivation, so you gotta just trust her decision making.”
Prakash Amritraj, a presenter and former ATP player, was surprised by the swift nature of the reunion.
“There are exceptions to every rule, but generally, even if a partnership or relationship has been successful, if it doesn’t end of the best terms, if it’s gonna have a shot of getting back together, you generally think there’s gotta be a bit of time in between,” said the Indian.
“This seems like a short amount of time to jump right back in.
“I was very excited about the Ivanisevic pairing, I thought that would be really cool, given Goran’s expertise, his personality, Elena being a lot more ice and cool.
“But he’s still there, hopefully his voice will still be a strong one in there, but we all have to make our own decisions and Elena’s a great champ and she made this one.”
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