Just In: Rybakina’s Coaching Search Ongoing, Interim Coach Likely for 2024
Some clarity has been provided about Elena Rybakina’s coaching situation, with the vice president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation saying the WTA star is searching for a replacement for Stefano Vukov.
Rybakina has only played two matches since losing in the Wimbledon semifinal to Barbora Krejcikova. After missing the Olympics with an illness, she lost in her opening contest at the Cincinnati Open to Leylah Fernandez.
Her last appearance on the court was the first round of the US Open over a month ago. She then pulled out of her second-round match at Flushing Meadows and subsequently withdrew from the China Open and the Wuhan Open.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion said she was nursing a back injury and had no choice but to miss the Chinese tournaments. However, many fans and analysts doubt that is the actual reason.
A few days before the US Open began, Rybakina suddenly split from her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov. Her announcement about the move was brief, and the 25-year-old dodged questions about it during press conferences.
Although Rybakina did not publicly comment on the reasons for the split, some, such as Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, felt there was more to the story and that the injury was a cover-up for what happened with her coach.
That belief was given greater credence when a well-known journalist reported that Rybakina had psychological problems after working with Vukov because of how the Croatian treated her.
A few days later, Aryna Sabalenka’s coach, Anton Dubrov, said it was possible that Rybakina may have asked for Vukov to be removed from the WTA Tour, and whether he was banned would soon be revealed.
Dias Doskardev, the vice president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, did not comment on why Rybakina and Vukov split but announced during an appearance on the KZ TV Channel that the search for a new coach was underway.
“Everything is in progress now. The search is underway. Most likely, the second coach Lovro Zovko will temporarily replace him. He is a priority choice for Elena Rybakina’s team.”
Doskardev said the Federation was talking to Rybakina and that coaching options were being considered. He also mentioned Vukov’s considerable achievements with Rybakina, even though he may not have always acted correctly towards her.
“We are talking to her now. Other coaches are also being considered. As we know, there was a long-term cooperation with Stefano Vukov, more than 5 years. Stefano Vukov brought her from 200th position to the TOP-5. Therefore, it is a difficult question. The process is underway.”
The vice president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation also confirmed who the most likely temporary appointment would be for the rest of 2024 while Rybakina searches for a long-time replacement for Vukov.
“Most likely, Lovre Zorko will stay until the end of the year. Because Elena knows him. The captain of the national team, Yuri Shchukin, also helps him.”
Rybakina undoubtedly hopes to build a strong and healthy relationship with her next coach, which could silence all the questions about how her time with Vukov ended.
