(Video) Elena Rybakina Turns the Table on Aryna Sabalenka After Coach Stefano Vukov Called Her Out for Lacking ‘Energy’

The WTA banned Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov last year for breaching the Code of Conduct, before overturning it.

(Video) Elena Rybakina Turns the Table on Aryna Sabalenka After Coach Stefano Vukov Called Her Out for Lacking ‘Energy’

Stefano Vukov (circle) called out Elena Rybakina (R) for lacking energy during the Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka (L) (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, TennisTemple, Tiempo De Tenis)

Elena Rybakina is the 2026 Australian Open champion! The Kazakh ace, in the final held on the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday (January 31), clinched a three-set victory to deny Aryna Sabalenka her third title at Melbourne Park.

On the back of her powerful serves and winners, Rybakina claimed the first set. But in the second set, Rybakina’s level dropped, and she was struggling to match her opponent.

Sabalenka capitalized on her lead and raced to 3-0 in the third set. When the camera panned toward Rybakina’s team, her coach, Stefano Vukov, yelled, “You need to put some energy in. You need to put energy. There’s no more energy left.”

Here’s the video:

The result? Rybakina smashed an ace and an unreturnable serve. Rybakina, in fact, went on to win five consecutive games. Although she couldn’t break Sabalenka in the next game, on match point, she blasted an ace and won the match.

The WTA imposed a ban on Vukov last year on allegations of harassment and abuse. But Rybakina kept denying that Vukov mistreated her and always defended him publicly. The ban was later overturned.

Rybakina and Vukov parted ways last year before the US Open, following which she hired Novak Djokovic‘s former coach Goran Ivanisevic, who left her team after her Australian Open exit last year, as he was blindsided by Rybakina’s decision to re-hire Vukov.

Also under Vukov, Rybakina emerged victorious in a Grand Slam final for the first time in the 2022 Wimbledon final by defeating Ons Jabeur. But last year in the Majors, she failed to move beyond the fourth round. Rybakina reached her first Grand Slam semifinal since the 2024 Wimbledon.

Elena Rybakina says she had to play riskier tennis to beat Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina credits her risky tennis after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka. She has improved her head-to-head record over the World No.1 to 7-8.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina (Image via X/US Open Tennis)

It’s an incredible achievement. Super happy and proud. It was a really tough battle. I didn’t expect to turn it around. Got some opportunities. Aryna is a very tough opponent, but I’m super happy this time I’m holding the trophy.

Elena Rybakina said at the press conference

Sabalenka is now 4-4 in Grand Slam finals and made her fourth consecutive final in the Grand Slam Down Under. She lifted the title at Melbourne Park by defeating Rybakina in 2023 and defended it in 2024 by beating Qinwen Zheng. Madison Keys then spoiled her three-peat dream last year.

Last time I was close, but Aryna played really well that match. She stepped in, she went for her shots, she was serving really well. She was even risking a little bit because the second serve was going as the first. I knew even today, if I get a chance to lead, I will need to try some risky shots and just go for it. Not to wait for any mistakes or even get to the long rallies. It’s great, and it’s amazing to hold this trophy this time.

Elena Rybakina added

Both Sabalenka and Rybakina dropped a set in the tournament for the first time. Sabalenka, in fact, lost a set for the first time this season because before the Australian Open, she defended her Brisbane International title against Marta Kostyuk. Rybakina also played in Brisbane and lost to Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals.

Rybakina struggled earlier in the 2025 season, but as the season progressed, she got her form back and lifted the Strasbourg Open and Ningbo Open, and ended the season by defeating Sabalenka in the title match of the WTA Finals. Rybakina also won her 10th consecutive match against a top-10 player in the Australian Open final.

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