“Nothing but fond memories”: Dinara Safina speaks glowingly of new Elena Rybakina coaching hire

Dinara Safina Praises Former Coach Davide Sanguinetti as He Joins Elena Rybakina’s Team

Dinara Safina has expressed her joy at seeing her former coach, Davide Sanguinetti, join Elena Rybakina’s team. The Russian tennis legend commended the Italian’s ability to understand his players while also highlighting his qualities as a great person.

Over the weekend, Rybakina confirmed in an interview with AFP’s Reem Abulleil that Sanguinetti, who was last known for coaching Brandon Nakashima, had indeed joined her camp at the Abu Dhabi Open.

For Safina, the news was especially meaningful as she had a brief but memorable stint with Sanguinetti during her final year on tour before retirement. She revealed that she had known about the appointment for some time but was asked to keep it confidential. Additionally, she noted that Sanguinetti has a good relationship with Stefano Vukov.

This aligns with the ongoing situation surrounding Rybakina’s former coach, Vukov, who remains under investigation by the WTA for Code of Conduct violations and is currently unable to coach her. While Goran Ivanisevic worked with Rybakina for a few months, he seemingly stepped away after the Australian Open, following the sudden return of the controversial Croatian coach.

Speaking to Bolshe Tennis, as translated from Russian, Safina shared her enthusiasm for Sanguinetti’s new role.

“I heard the news a little earlier, but I was asked not to tell anyone,” the three-time Grand Slam finalist revealed.

“I’m sincerely happy about this collaboration because I know Davide personally, I’ve worked with him myself, and I have nothing but fond memories of him.

“He was by my side in difficult times, and he really wanted to help me—he encouraged me a lot. You know, he always tries to understand the player, which is important as a coach.”

With Sanguinetti now guiding Rybakina, his expertise and supportive approach could play a crucial role in helping the Kazakh star navigate the upcoming season.