Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, made a significant coaching change following her fourth-round exit at the 2025 US Open, parting ways with Davide Sanguinetti and reinstating Stefano Vukov as her sole coach. The decision, reported by *SpazioTennis* on September 3, 2025, came shortly after the WTA lifted Vukov’s one-year suspension in August 2025, allowing him to return courtside. Rybakina, ranked World No. 10, lost 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to Marketa Vondrousova at the US Open, prompting a reevaluation of her team as she prepares for the WTA 1000 China Open.
Rybakina’s partnership with Sanguinetti, which began in February 2025 after a brief stint with Goran Ivanisevic, yielded mixed results. The Italian coach guided her to a WTA 500 Strasbourg Open title in May and three WTA 1000 semifinals, but her Grand Slam performances were lackluster, with fourth-round exits at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open. *Tennisuptodate.com* noted that Sanguinetti’s departure was influenced by Vukov’s return, as the Croatian coach, who worked with Rybakina from 2019 to 2024, resumed his role after successfully appealing his ban for alleged abusive conduct. Rybakina consistently defended Vukov, stating at the US Open, “I never had any issues with him,” and emphasizing their strong communication, per *Sportskeeda*.
The decision to part with Sanguinetti, who had coordinated with Vukov during his suspension, reflects Rybakina’s preference for her long-term coach, with whom she won Wimbledon and reached a career-high No. 3 ranking. Vukov’s reinstatement followed a controversial period, including a WTA investigation into claims of mental abuse, detailed in *The Athletic*. Despite these allegations, Rybakina’s loyalty to Vukov remained steadfast, and his presence in her player box during the US Open, alongside Sanguinetti, signaled a transition back to their previous dynamic. *Tennistonic.com* reported that Ivanisevic left earlier in 2025 due to disagreements over Vukov’s lingering influence, highlighting the Croatian’s enduring role in Rybakina’s camp.
Fan reactions on X, as seen in *Sportskeeda* posts, were mixed, with some criticizing Rybakina’s choice to prioritize Vukov, citing past allegations, while others supported her autonomy. Her 2025 season, with a 39-14 record and one title, shows potential but underscores the need for stability to reclaim her top form. As Rybakina heads to the China Open as the 10th seed, Vukov’s leadership will be tested in her quest for a strong year-end finish and a second Grand Slam title in 2026.
