Elena Rybakina’s former coach in hot water following WTA ban reports just hours after her US Open withdrawal
Elena Rybakina has had quite a few withdrawals in the season so far, including her recent one in the US Open second round.
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Elena Rybakina (via X)
Elena Rybakina‘s journey at the US Open has been more about off-court issues than her performance at Flushing Meadows. The Kazakh tennis star had to withdraw from the tournament’s second round due to injury. This was the eighth time she had to retire or withdraw from a tournament this year. Just before the US Open began, Rybakina made a surprising decision to part ways with her coach, Stefano Vukov, which puzzled many people.
The tennis community wondered why Rybakina would end her partnership with the coach who helped her achieve many career highs and why just three days before a Grand Slam. The decision seemed unclear at the time, but there might be some clues now. After Rybakina withdrew from her match against Jessika Ponchet, rumors began to spread that Vukov had been removed from the WTA coaches list and possibly banned from the tour. Craig Shapiro tweeted that reliable sources suggested Vukov had been taken off the list, indicating a ban.
Right now, reliable sources telling me that Vukov has been removed from the official WTA coaches list, which signifies a ban.Craig Shapiro wrote on X
The rumors claim that Rybakina could have known about Vukov’s possible ban before she ended their partnership. Hence, she decided to pull the trigger on the 37-year-old from her coaching staff. These events may be connected, but it’s also possible they’re not. Either way, this news is significant for both parties.
On August 23, Rybakina announced on her Instagram story that she had ended her five-year partnership with Vukov. Shortly after, it was reported that she would be working with Yuri Shchukin, the assistant coach of the Kazakhstani female tennis team, for the US Open.
Elena Rybakina withdrew from the US Open 2024 recently
Elena Rybakina withdrew from the 2024 US Open on Thursday due to a lower back injury. As a result, French qualifier Jessika Ponchet advances to the Round of 32 without playing. Ponchet, a 27-year-old from Bayonne, was set to compete against Rybakina on Court 17. This is her first time reaching this stage of the US Open after being 0-5 in Grand Slam main draws.
Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries. I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way, but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong. Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.Elena Rybakina’s statement to WTA
Rybakina had previously defeated Destanee Aiava from Australia in the first round on Tuesday. The 2022 Wimbledon champion had a strong start to 2024, winning two titles in her first four events. However, she has been struggling with various physical issues since then.
Rybakina’s recent summer was disrupted by bronchitis, which caused her to withdraw from the Olympics and the Toronto tournament. She lost her opening match in Cincinnati to Leylah Fernandez despite having two match points.
Ponchet is now one of two qualifiers to make it to the third round. The other is Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who lost to Paula Badosa after having a match point.
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Fahad Hamid
(679 Articles Published)