In a shocking twist, Elena Rybakina has announced a reunion with her former coach Stefano Vukov, just months after their high-profile split. The 2022 Wimbledon champion shared the news on Instagram, revealing that Vukov will rejoin her coaching team as an assistant to her current head coach, Goran Ivanisevic. This unexpected development comes after Rybakina and Vukov parted ways in August 2024, ending a five-year partnership that had brought immense success but also considerable controversy.
Rybakina and Vukov’s previous collaboration was nothing short of remarkable. Together, they achieved the pinnacle of tennis success, with Rybakina claiming her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022. However, their relationship was also marred by public scrutiny, with critics often pointing to Vukov’s fiery temperament and abrasive behavior during matches.
Notably, tennis legend Pam Shriver is one of Vukov’s most vocal detractors, saying that Rybakina deserves a coach who treats her with respect at all times. Hearing about their reunion, the Hall of Famer commented: “It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult like manipulations of players. This is a very sad situation and my prayers are with ER.”
The decision to bring Vukov back in the 2025 season as an assistant coach definitely raises eyebrows in the tennis community. While Rybakina clearly values the tactical acumen he brings, the reunion comes with potential risks, particularly given their turbulent history. The addition of Ivanisevic as head coach may provide a stabilizing influence, but questions linger about how this coaching dynamic will play out.
Rybakina has kicked off 2025 in impressive form, leading Kazakhstan to the United Cup semifinals with a flawless record of four match wins.
