As the 2025 season begins, Rybakina will be under close scrutiny as she faces this difficult phase in her career, with the WTA investigation’s outcome still unresolved.
Aryna Sabalenka, the current World No. 1 in women’s tennis, has distanced
herself from the growing controversy surrounding her close friend Elena
Rybakina and coach Stefano Vukov. Despite the complex and highly
publicized nature of their professional relationship, Sabalenka has chosen
not to delve into the details of the situation, maintaining her stance of
neutrality in a matter that has captured global attention.
Rybakina’s decision to rehire Vukov as her coach for the 2025 season
shocked many tennis fans and professionals alike, given the tense and
mysterious circumstances surrounding their split last year. Vukov, who had
been a significant figure in Rybakina’s meteoric rise, including her 2022
Wimbledon victory, was praised for developing Rybakina’s signature serve
and aggressive groundstrokes. However, his tenure was also marked by
controversial behavior. Several observers criticized his treatment of
Rybakina, accusing him of fostering a toxic atmosphere with aggressive
tactics and harsh comments during matches.
In the lead-up to the 2023 US Open, Rybakina and Vukov unexpectedly
ended their working relationship. The reasons for their sudden split were
never publicly disclosed, leaving the tennis community in the dark.
Rybakina, known for her composure, refused to comment on the situation,
adding to the speculation surrounding the abrupt change.
To make matters even more complicated, journalist Sofya Tartakova later
reported that Rybakina had struggled with psychological issues in the
months following the split, leading to her withdrawal from the WTA Tour.
These issues reportedly peaked just before the US Open, as Rybakina had to
pull out of the tournament hours before her second-round match. This
revelation only fueled the mystery and intrigue surrounding the coach-player
dynamic.
However, Rybakina’s resilience was evident as she moved forward with her
career. She appointed Goran Ivanisevic, the famed Croatian coach, to join
her team. Together, they kicked off their partnership during the World
Tennis League (WTL) and had an eventful start to the 2025 season.
Despite the appearance of Vukov at a WTL event where Rybakina played, it
initially caused further concern among fans who feared that the former
coach might be intruding into Rybakina’s personal space and potentially
causing discomfort. To everyone’s surprise, Rybakina announced in early
January that Vukov would return to her team for the Australian Open and
the entirety of the 2025 season, alongside Ivanisevic, who would remain her
head coach.
This unexpected development was met with a swift response from the WTA,
which confirmed that Vukov was under investigation for his previous
conduct towards Rybakina. The governing body noted that Vukov was
provisionally suspended while the investigation took place, and this news
quickly became the focal point of media discussions.
Rybakina, however, stood by her former coach. In an emotional statement,
she defended Vukov, insisting that he had never abused her and expressing
displeasure with the ongoing WTA investigation. The public response
underscored the emotional complexity of the situation, as Rybakina
attempted to support Vukov while also navigating the scrutiny surrounding
their relationship.
In the midst of all this, Sabalenka, who shares a strong friendship with
Rybakina, was approached by the media during her campaign at the
Brisbane International. As one of the game’s top players and a frequent rival,
Sabalenka’s thoughts on the Rybakina-Vukov issue were eagerly anticipated.
However, she remained firm in her refusal to comment on the situation.
Sabalenka was clear and concise, stating, “Honestly, like I’m close to Elena,
but not that much to comment anyhow. I know they were working pretty
well. I honestly don’t know what’s going on there. I know they are good with
each other. I think there is nothing more to say.” Her refusal to delve into the
details not only showed her respect for Rybakina’s privacy but also
illustrated the complex nature of public friendships in a high-stakes,
performance-driven environment like professional tennis.
While fans are left to speculate on the true nature of the relationship
between Rybakina and Vukov, it’s clear that Sabalenka has opted to maintain
her boundaries and stay focused on her own game. As the 2025 season kicks
off, all eyes will be on Rybakina as she navigates this challenging chapter of
her career, with the outcome of the ongoing WTA investigation still hanging
in the balance.
