Elena Rybakina’s fitness coach quits her team amid controversy involving Stefano Vukov

Azuz Simcich had reportedly ended his partnership with World No.7 Elena Rybakina after the 2025 Australian Open.

Elena Rybakina’s fitness coach quits her team amid controversy involving Stefano Vukov

Azuz Simcich confirmed that he is no longer working with Elena Rybakina (Images via X/Instagram)

Azuz Simcich followed Goran Ivanisevic‘s suit and has left Elena Rybakina‘s team in the aftermath of Stefano Vukov‘s suspension. Although he made the official announcement on Monday (February 24), he reportedly quit her team following the Australian Open.

Vukov was engaged in a ‘toxic relationship’ with Rybakina, and his conduct toward her was such that WTA themselves had to intervene, and provisionally suspended him during which, the investigation revealed some shocking details. A lot of things happened last year involving Vukov, who Rybakina re-hired for the Australian Open.

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At the Melbourne Slam, the Kazakh ace, who was a finalist in 2023, fell to eventual champion Madison Keys in the fourth round. A day after her exit, Ivanisevic took to Instagram to announce that he has ended his partnership with the 25-year-old. He joined her team last year after parting ways with Novak Djokovic.

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Rybakina, as she had fired Vukov before the US Open, hired Ivanisevic. Simcich, on the other hand, had been a crucial part of Rybakina’s team since the end of 2022.

After an incredible journey alongside Elena, it’s time to move on. I’m deeply grateful for the experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments we shared. Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in your future endeavours @lenarybakina.

Azuz Simcich wrote on Instagram story

Check out his post here:

Here’s all about Elena Rybakina-Stefano Vukov controversy

Stefano Vukov‘s conduct toward Elena Rybakina exacerbated her illness last year. When Rybakina, in an interview, revealed that she needed a break because lack of sleep led to insomnia which eventually deteriorated her immune system, the hectic WTA calendar was considered the reason.

Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (2)
Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Image via WTA/X)

Rybakina had good results during the start of the 2024 season, but it wasn’t the case as the year progressed. She withdrew from tournaments, gave walkovers to her opponents, and after mid-match retirement in the US Open second round, Rybakina could go no further without taking a break.

She skipped the entire Asian swing, following which, she flew to Riyadh for the WTA Finals. But what happened in New York during the US Open, the tennis community knew nothing about. The WTA disclosed no details after the conclusion of the investigation but The Athletic reported that Rybakina’s friends and family were concerned about her relationship with Vukov.

They somehow convinced Rybakina to fire him from her team. In the lead-up to the US Open, a member of her team informed Vukov that she had decided not to work with him anymore. The consequence of this was harassment, as per WTA CEO Portia Archer‘s letter. Vukov left so many texts and called her more than 100 times.

Vukov would not leave the hotel in New York without speaking to Rybakina, who was forced to call security to remove him. Vukov’s conduct forced several members of Rybakina’s inner circle to finally approach WTA. Rybakina, however, always insisted that Vukov has never abused her. Vukov has been handed a one-year ban.