“We will never be free of Stefano Vukov”: Elena Rybakina angers fans with shock tribute to ex-coach after Strasbourg win
On May 24, 2025, Elena Rybakina clinched her first title in over a year at the Strasbourg Open, defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1, and boosting her ranking to No. 11 ahead of her French Open first-round match against Julia Riera (The Athletic, May 24, 2025). However, her post-match tribute to banned former coach Stefano Vukov, whom she credited for her success, ignited a firestorm among fans, with some on X lamenting, “We will never be free of Stefano Vukov” (Sportskeeda, May 25, 2025). This controversy, echoing Grigor Dimitrov’s supportive gesture to Eiza Gonzalez, highlights the complex interplay of personal loyalty and public scrutiny in tennis (Sportskeeda, May 25, 2025).
Rybakina’s five-year partnership with Vukov, which ended in August 2024, saw her rise from No. 200 to Wimbledon champion in 2022 (Sportskeeda, Aug 23, 2024). Yet, the WTA banned Vukov for one year in February 2025 for “abusive conduct,” including verbal abuse like calling Rybakina “stupid” and pushing her to physical and emotional limits (The Athletic, Feb 11, 2025). Rybakina, who rehired Vukov briefly in January 2025, has consistently denied mistreatment, sparking fan concern about a “toxic” relationship (Daily Mail, Feb 24, 2025). Her Strasbourg speech, praising Vukov’s “passion,” reignited tensions, with @sebsharfam2 on X detailing his alleged mental abuse (X, Mar 26, 2025).
Fans expressed dismay, with one stating, “Elena’s stuck to Vukov, it’s heartbreaking” (Sportskeeda, Mar 25, 2025). Others, like @pavyg, criticized the WTA’s inconsistent suspensions (X, May 18, 2025). Rybakina’s defense mirrors her isolation, as she lamented “no support” from WTA peers (Sportskeeda, Feb 19, 2025). Like Dimitrov’s devotion to Gonzalez, Rybakina’s loyalty to Vukov persists, but her Strasbourg tribute has deepened fan fears, casting a shadow over her Roland Garros campaign.
