Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina made a significant decision just days before the 2024 U.S. Open, parting ways with her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov.
The split comes after five years of working together, during which Vukov helped Rybakina rise to prominence. However, according to Russian journalist Sofya Tartakova, Rybakina‘s decision was driven by a toxic relationship, with Vukov allegedly subjecting her to a pattern of verbal insults.
Rybakina, ranked No. 4 in the world, had to withdraw from the U.S. Open in August due to a back injury, despite winning her opening match against Australia’s Destanee Aiava.
Behind the scenes, however, Tartakova suggested that the pressure from her former coach played a crucial role in her ongoing struggles, both on and off the court.
Allegations of verbal mistreatment and emotional strain
Speaking on the Tennis Bolshei YouTube channel, Tartakova revealed that Vukov’s behavior had placed immense pressure on Rybakina, creating a “vicious cycle” of verbal abuse.
“All these difficulties she faces are because of the heavy pressure associated with her former coach Vukov,” Tartakova explained.
She noted that while Vukov had traveled to New York for the U.S. Open and was prepared to continue working with Rybakina, the 25-year-old ultimately decided to end their partnership due to the mental strain he had caused.
Rybakina‘s parents reportedly played a key role in the decision to break ties with Vukov, as they were concerned about the emotional toll their daughter was enduring.
“He ‘ate’ her all the time,” said Tartakova, referring to the constant verbal insults and pressure that surrounded Rybakina’s training environment.
The decision to part ways marks a major shift in Rybakina‘s career.
Under Vukov‘s guidance, she achieved some of her greatest successes, including winning her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 and reaching the Australian Open final in 2023.
Despite this, the pressure and negative atmosphere reportedly became too much for Rybakina to bear, leading to the split.
While rumors of a possible ban on Vukov from the WTA Tour have circulated, no official confirmation has been made. Rybakina has yet to address the situation publicly.
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