Elena Rybakina Addresses Stefano Vukov’s Mid-Match Exit After Roland Garros Upset

Elena Rybakina revealed that her coach Stefano Vukov left her Roland Garros box during her shocking second-round loss because he had been feeling ill for days. The reigning Australian Open champion pushed back against swirling speculation of another rift in their often complicated partnership.

The world No. 2’s exit from the French Open came in stunning fashion on Wednesday, as unseeded Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva pulled off a marathon 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) victory in what turned into a grinding battle on Court 14. Rybakina said in her press conference:

Why am I surprised that these questions are coming from you? Yes, he was on the match. He left because he was feeling really bad the past few days. He told me ‘I might leave. I tried to stay.’ He wasn’t feeling great. It wasn’t a surprise. We talked about it. Nothing from that side. They were just trying to tell me to raise my energy.

Rybakina had started strongly, taking the first set comfortably, but then unraveled, dropping nine of the next 10 games. Vukov’s departure happened amid that collapse, fueling immediate questions about tension between player and coach.

Rybakina says Stefano Vukov left her match at Roland Garros because he’s been sick the last few days

“I was wondering what sort of regrets you had today? If there were any specific points or shots that stood out. Also what kind of advice were you getting from your coaching box?… pic.twitter.com/iSK4kfx9sy

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 27, 2026

This explanation comes after years of drama surrounding Vukov. Their working relationship has been one of the most talked-about in women’s tennis, marked by success, separation, controversy, and reunion.

Background on Rybakina-Vukov partnership

Stefano Vukov, a Croatian coach, has been instrumental in Rybakina’s rise. He helped transform her into a Grand Slam champion, most notably guiding her to the 2022 Wimbledon title. Their partnership delivered big serves, aggressive baseline play, and consistent deep runs.

But cracks appeared. After the 2024 US Open, they split. Vukov was later investigated by the WTA for alleged abusive conduct. The tour suspended him for a year, a decision Rybakina publicly disputed, insisting there was no physical or verbal abuse toward her. Vukov appealed successfully and returned to her team last August.

By early 2026, they were back in sync. Vukov even received his own ceremonial trophy alongside Rybakina at the Australian Open champions’ ceremony, a new tradition that highlights the coach’s role.

That history makes every mid-match moment scrutinized. When Vukov left the box after what some described as a discussion during her slump, eyebrows naturally rose. Reports noted the timing coincided with Rybakina losing control of the second set.

The match that exposed cracks

Starodubtseva, a 26-year-old qualifier or low-ranked player making noise, capitalized on Rybakina’s unforced errors, reportedly 71 in the match. The Kazakh star fought back from a double-break deficit in the third set, forcing a tiebreak, but couldn’t close it out.

This isn’t the first time Rybakina has shown vulnerability on clay at Roland Garros. Despite her raw power, the slower, higher bounces have sometimes exposed timing issues that grass and hard courts mask better.

Her post-match honesty was refreshing. No excuses about the surface or conditions beyond the practical advice she received. She owned the mistakes and the lack of attacking intent when it mattered.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Plays Down Pressure Tag of Being Roland Garros Favorite After Carlos Alcaraz’s Withdrawal