Elena Rybakina Makes Honest Admission on Controversial Coach Stefano Vukov After Reaching Australian Open Final
Elena Rybakina is eyeing a second Grand Slam title at the 2026 Australian Open.
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Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov (Image via X/Jose Moron)
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If the fans tuned into the Australian Open semifinal expecting a quiet, by-the-books tennis match, they probably got more than they bargained for. Elena Rybakina is heading back to the big stage—her first Grand Slam final since 2023—after taking down Jessica Pegula in straight sets. But while the scorecard reads like a masterclass in power tennis, the real story brewing in the corridors of Melbourne Park is about the man sitting in her box.
Rybakina’s post-match comments regarding her coach, Stefano Vukov, have ripped the bandage off a conversation the tennis world has been having in hushed tones for years. It turns out, the “controversial” relationship might just be the secret weapon she needed all along. Rybakina said in her Australian Open press conference:
I think it’s a huge help, because he knows me better than anyone. His advice on the court during matches makes a difference. The same goes for the rest of my team. I think it’s very important that I’ve been working with the same physiotherapist for a long time. Also with the physical trainer, with whom we’ve been working for some time now. He’s another coach who knows me very well and helps me a lot. So yes, the team is key, and Stefano has been very important in achieving these results.
For years, spectators and commentators have side-eyed Vukov. His style isn’t for everyone. He’s loud, he’s animated, and his on-court coaching often looks less like encouragement and more like an intense lecture.
However, after the semifinal win, Rybakina didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. In a moment of rare candor, she credited Vukov for the mental edge she displayed during that tight second set.
While the public might see a coach who is too hard on his player, Rybakina sees a catalyst. The narrative around Vukov has always been polarized. Critics argue his intensity adds unnecessary pressure. But Rybakina’s admission suggests that his “tough love” approach effectively shocks her system, forcing her to focus when the pressure mounts.
Why this win feels different for Elena Rybakina
It’s been a long road back to a Slam final. Since her Wimbledon triumph in 2022, Elena Rybakina has had her fair share of heartbreak—injuries, illness, and semifinal losses that felt like they should have been wins.
This run at the 2026 Australian Open feels different. It feels like a resurgence. Her win at the WTA Finals last year hinted that she was finding her groove again, but doing it in the heat of the Australian summer is the confirmation we needed.
She mentioned being “close other seasons” but failing to take that final step. Now that she’s taken it, you can see the relief. It’s not just about hitting the ball hard anymore; it’s about surviving the two weeks. And clearly, whatever Vukov is doing behind the scenes—whether we like the optics or not—is working for her right now.
The Aryna Sabalenka showdown awaits
So, what comes next? A blockbuster final against Aryna Sabalenka. This is the match everyone wanted. It’s power versus power. It’s the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.
Sabalenka is waiting, and she’s not going to give Rybakina any rhythm. But if Rybakina can channel that same mental toughness she found against Pegula—and if she keeps listening to the voice in her box that pushes her buttons just the right way—she has every chance of lifting the trophy.
Sabalenka has been in some of the big matches recently. She has played three of the four Grand Slam finals and the Year-End Championship finals.
However, good news for Rybakina is that Sabalenka hasn’t shown her big game prowess. She lost two of the three Grand Slam finals in 2025. Moreover, Rybakina beat the World No.1 in the WTA Finals.
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