Elena Rybakina hits out at Hall of Famer for ‘unfair’ comments on coach Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina addressed the controversy around her coach Stefano Vukov ahead of her first-round match at the Australian Open.
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Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov (Images via X)
Elena Rybakina is currently embroiled in controversy because of her coach Stefano Vukov. She parted ways with him last year ahead of the US Open, but about four months afterward, she rehired him.
Following the split with Vukov, Rybakina started her partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, who has been tight-lipped about the whole situation but will be in her team for the time being. Vukov, however, cannot coach her in the ongoing Australian Open as he has been provisionally suspended by the WTA for allegedly breaking the Code of Conduct.
Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver has always criticized Vukov because of his conduct toward the Kazakh tennis ace. And when the news of Rybakina hiring Vukov again came out, Shriver suspected that Vukov has subjected Rybakina to abuse.
Rybakina, when asked in the press conference about Shriver’s comments, denied the accusations but not without telling the American why it was unacceptable to make such comments.
Pam Shriver, I don’t know her personally. She never came to me, never talked with me, but I know her story. It’s sad, but it doesn’t mean other players are facing the same issues. Since she doesn’t know me, I don’t think it’s fair to make any comments like that, especially being an active coach and a commentator.
Elena Rybakina said
Shriver, who had won 22 Grand Slam titles (22 in doubles and one in mixed doubles), was in an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with then coach Don Candy when she was 17 and he was 33, and it lasted for five years.
Elena Rybakina reveals insomnia affected her immune system badly
Elena Rybakina, before kick starting her 2025 campaign at the Melbourne Park, said she was in need of a break last year. She had been dealing with injuries and illnesses during the first half of the 2024 season.
After her exit from the 2024 Australian Open, Rybakina started to have ‘sleep’ issues, which eventually led to insomnia and it affected her immune system. At the US Open, she withdrew from her second round match and didn’t play a tournament before the WTA Finals.
Well, as I said, when my insomnia started, the whole immune system went down. I kept on pushing. Maybe I should have taken the rest a little bit earlier.
Elena Rybakina said at the press conference
Rybakina, who is the sixth seed at the Australian Open, will lock horns with Emerson Jones in the first round. The 25-year-old has reached the final, in 2023, but was defeated by current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
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Gouri Das
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