Elena Rybakina’s coaching situation has been quite dynamic lately. Here’s what’s been happening :
– Coaching Changes: Rybakina parted ways with her longtime coach Stefano Vukov in August 2024 after a five-year partnership that brought her eight WTA titles, including the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. She then hired Goran Ivanisevic, known for his successful collaboration with Novak Djokovic, but their partnership was short-lived.
– *Vukov’s Return and Suspension*: In January 2025, Rybakina announced Vukov’s return to her team, but he was subsequently suspended by the WTA Tour amid an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct. Vukov denies any wrongdoing, and Rybakina has expressed dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled.
vanisevic’s Departure: Following Rybakina’s Australian Open exit in January 2025, Ivanisevic announced that he would no longer be coaching her, citing the investigation into Vukov’s conduct as a factor in his decision.
– New Additions to Her Team: Rybakina has since added Davide Sanguinetti to her team, a coach who is friends with Vukov, according to former world No. 1 Dinara Safina. Additionally, she’s hired Aldo Chiari as her new strength and conditioning coach, aiming to rebuild her support team.
– *Current Status*: Rybakina’s recent performances have been affected by the off-court drama, with her not reaching a final in six competitions this year. She’s currently ranked world No. 5 and is seeking her first title since April 2024. Despite the challenges, she’s trying to refocus and find her rhythm with her new team members.
