“Feels Pretty Disgusting”- Tennis Fans Criticize the Australian Open for Rewarding Elena Rybakina’s Controversial Coach Stefano Vukov After The Final

Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov influenced the Kazakh's Australian Open title win.

“Feels Pretty Disgusting”- Tennis Fans Criticize the Australian Open for Rewarding Elena Rybakina’s Controversial Coach Stefano Vukov After The Final

Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov (Image via X/Jose Moron)

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Sports ceremonies are usually predictable affairs. There are tears, confetti, polite speeches, and the handing over of silverware. But at the 2026 Australian Open, the script got flipped in the most awkward way imaginable.

Elena Rybakina had just secured her second Grand Slam title in a nail-biter against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. It was a massive moment for the Kazakh star.

Yet, the headlines the next morning weren’t just about her forehand or her mental fortitude. Instead, the tennis world was fixated on a man who, just 12 months prior, wasn’t even allowed in the building: her coach, Stefano Vukov.

In a move that has left fans, commentators, and insiders scratching their heads, Vukov was invited onto the podium to receive a special ceremonial trophy. For the casual viewer, it looked like a nice team moment. For anyone who has followed the chaotic timeline of the last year, it was a jaw-dropping decision that raised serious questions about optics, memory, and the integrity of the WTA.

Tennis fans in meltdown seeing Stefano Vukov getting Rewarded

Fast forward to January 2026. The same tournament that barred Stefano Vukov from the door is now handing him a trophy on global television. The reaction was immediate and sharply divided.

Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (2)
Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Image via X)

On one side, there were a few of Rybakina’s loyalists. To them, this moment was vindication. It was the tennis world finally acknowledging that Vukov—despite his intense, often-criticized coaching style—is the architect behind one of the best players in the world.

However, the majority saw a massive contingent of fans and pundits calling the move “disgusting” and “inappropriate.” The argument here is about standards. If a coach was investigated and banned for conduct issues, should they really be celebrated on a podium a year later? It sends a confusing message about accountability.

For Rybakina, the goal is simple: keep winning. She has the momentum, the trophy, and clearly, the team she wants. Her season couldn’t have started any better, as she has a golden chance of getting to the World No.1 after ending the 2025 season really well by winning the WTA Finals.

Rewinding the tape: Why Stefano Vukov was banned

To understand why Twitter (and the tennis press) exploded, the viewers have to look at the timeline. In 2025, Stefano Vukov was conspicuously absent from Elena Rybakina’s box at the Australian Open. He had been slapped with a ban pending a WTA investigation into his conduct.

Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (3)
Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Images via X)

While the specific details were kept relatively quiet, the ban was significant enough to keep him off the grounds of a Grand Slam. It wasn’t a minor slap on the wrist. Rybakina, for her part, defended him fiercely at the time, but the cloud hung over the team for months.

After the ban, Rybakina had replaced Vukov with Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach, Goran Ivanisevic. However, that partnership lasted only a few months, as rumors circulated that Vukov would return to his position.

The ban was eventually lifted in August 2025, and Vukov returned to the tour. But the tension didn’t evaporate. Just a few months later, at the WTA Finals, Rybakina publicly snubbed WTA CEO Portia Archer, refusing a photo op. It was a clear signal: the camp was still furious about how Vukov had been treated.

Also Read: Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details