Elena Rybakina has added a fresh face to her coaching staff as she looks to regain top form on the WTA Tour. The 25-year-old Kazakhstani star announced the hiring of strength and conditioning coach Aldo Chiari via Instagram, captioning the post: “Welcome to the team.”
Rybakina, widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the women’s game, has faced criticism in recent months due to turbulence within her coaching setup—particularly surrounding her relationship with longtime coach Stefano Vukov.
Vukov, who coached Rybakina since 2019, was suspended by the WTA for alleged code of conduct violations and was briefly replaced by Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach. However, Vukov’s return led to Ivanisevic’s swift exit, reportedly due to disagreements behind the scenes.
Amid the off-court drama, Rybakina’s form has taken a noticeable dip. Despite entering six WTA events in 2025, she has yet to reach a final and is now set to fall out of the WTA Top 10 after withdrawing from the Stuttgart Open—a tournament she won in 2024 by defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
The withdrawal comes after she opted to represent Kazakhstan in international play instead of defending her Stuttgart title, further complicating her ranking outlook.
Earlier this week, Rybakina also voiced frustration with the demanding Billie Jean King Cup schedule, calling it “not easy” to manage alongside her regular tour commitments.
As she looks to reset her season, the addition of Chiari could mark a step toward stability—and a potential return to her best form.
