Elena Rybakina Opens Up on Experiencing the Stefano Vukov Saga After the Australian Open Win

Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov was previously banned by the WTA.

Elena Rybakina Opens Up on Experiencing the Stefano Vukov Saga After the Australian Open Win

Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Image via X)

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There was confetti, there was cheering, and there was the undeniable brilliance of Elena Rybakina on the court. But as the dust settled on her 2026 Australian Open victory, the conversation wasn’t just about her incredible three-set thriller against Aryna Sabalenka. Instead, all eyes—and a lot of cameras—shifted to the man standing next to her: Stefano Vukov.

Through all the noise, one person has remained completely unbothered: Rybakina herself. The newly crowned Australian Open champion considered the ban on her current coach as a ‘tough experience’.

It was a tough experience, I learned a lot from it, realized who my close people are, who to trust. I’m happy w/ my current team, I hope it’s all in the past now.

If the fans have been following the tour, they know why the air in the Rod Laver Arena felt a little heavy. Seeing Vukov holding a trophy alongside Rybakina wasn’t just a standard post-match celebration; for many, it was a massive shock to the system. After all, it wasn’t long ago that he was barred from the very grounds he was now being celebrated on.

Throughout the investigation, the ban, and the awkward return, Rybakina has been his fiercest defender. She hasn’t just tolerated him; she has publicly backed him at every turn. Her stance is clear: his methods work for her, and she trusts him. She has repeatedly shut down the idea that she is being mistreated, framing the criticism as a misunderstanding of their dynamic.

The trophy ceremony that got everyone talking

On Sunday (31st January, 2026), Elena Rybakina has just secured her second Grand Slam title. She’s firmly established herself as one of the world’s best, currently sitting pretty at World No. 3. The tennis is impeccable. But then comes the presentation.

Elena Rybakina Australian Open 2026
Elena Rybakina and her team with the Australian Open trophy and the Kazakhstan flag (image via Getty)

In a move that surprised plenty of spectators and commentators alike, Stefano Vukov was presented with a coach’s trophy. On the surface, it makes sense; behind every great player is a team that grinds just as hard.

But context is everything. Just a year prior, Vukov was persona non grata, banned for six months following allegations regarding his conduct.

Seeing him reinstated and honored on such a public stage reignited a firestorm that the WTA probably hoped had burned out. It shifted the narrative from “Rybakina Wins” to “Is Tennis Ignoring Its Own Rules?”

Why the Stefano Vukov backstory matters

To understand why Twitter (and the tennis press) exploded, the fans have to rewind to 2025. That was the year the WTA stepped in and suspended Vukov. They cited Code of Conduct violations, though the specific details were always a bit murky to the public.

Stefano Vukov Elena Rybakina
Stefano Vukov Elena Rybakina (via The Tennis Letter)

His coaching style has always been a lightning rod for criticism. One might have likely seen him in the player’s box—intense, vocal, and sometimes visibly agitated. While some call it passion, others, including tennis officials, flagged it as problematic.

So, when he was barred from the Australian Open in 2025, it felt like a line in the sand had been drawn. But fast forward to mid-2025, the suspension is lifted after an appeal, and by the start of 2026, he’s not just back; he’s holding silverware.

For fans who worry about player welfare, the visual was jarring. It felt like a complete 180-degree turn from the governing body.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic Outlines his Plans to Recover for the Australian Open Final Against Carlos Alcaraz