How Elena Rybakina went from unexpected Grand Slam champion to getting sucked into never-ending controversy in a span of 2 rollercoaster years
Rybakina’s Rollercoaster: Controversy, Coaching Drama, and a Grand Slam Journey
Elena Rybakina’s rise to the top of women’s tennis has been anything but smooth. Despite her 2022 Wimbledon victory, the lack of ranking points due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players meant she had to fight for recognition. Initially treated as a fluke, she faced further disrespect when relegated to a secondary court at the US Open.
Things shifted in 2023 with an Australian Open final appearance and an Indian Wells title. However, her tennis was overshadowed by controversy surrounding her coach, Stefano Vukov. Critics cited his “toxic” courtside behavior, but Rybakina staunchly defended him.
Behind the scenes, the WTA launched an investigation. The results were damning: Vukov was banned for a year, accused of “abuse of authority,” “bullying,” and “physical and verbal abuse.” Allegedly, he routinely insulted Rybakina, calling her “stupid” and “retarded,” and made demeaning remarks about her background.
Complaints had been accumulating for three years, coinciding with Rybakina’s increasing health issues and tournament withdrawals. A disorienting episode at the Cincinnati Masters, where she struggled with insomnia, proved a breaking point.
Shortly after, Rybakina finally severed ties with Vukov, a decision she had reportedly attempted before. He resisted, requiring a team member to remove him from her hotel. This triggered the WTA’s formal investigation and suspension. Rybakina subsequently withdrew from the US Open and took a two-month break.
Then came another twist. Just before the Australian Open, Rybakina reunited with Vukov, prompting Goran Ivanišević to leave her team. Rybakina remains adamant that Vukov never mistreated her.
“He never mistreated me or it was never anything like that,” she stated.
Despite the drama, Rybakina’s 2025 season has been strong, recently reaching the Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals. Her journey, marked by controversy and resilience, continues to captivate the tennis world.
