Goran Ivanisevic called his split with Elena Rybakina a “sad and strange” story. And that’s exactly what it’s been. At the end of the 2024 season, Rybakina brought Ivanisevic on board after parting ways with her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov. But come January 1, the 2022 Wimbledon champ surprised everyone by announcing that Vukov would be back on her team for 2025. However, things took a sharp turn. Reports from The Athletic said Ivanisevic was “blindsided” by Vukov’s sudden return. Not long after, it came out that Vukov had actually been suspended by the WTA due to a code-of-conduct breach. Despite that, he was recently seen with the Kazakh star again, and let’s just say fans are not thrilled.
Let’s rewind a bit. Vukov had been Elena Rybakina’s coach from 2019 until her 2024 US Open campaign. Reports suggested growing tensions and even accusations of aggressive behavior as the cause of their breakup. WTA chief executive Portia Archer informed both Rybakina and Vukov of the outcome of an investigation on January 31. According to Archer, Vukov had called Rybakina “stupid” and told her that without him, she would “still be in Russia picking potatoes.” Investigators concluded that Vukov made Rybakina cry, mentally abused her, and pushed her so hard that she became ill. Archer stated that Vukov had also “harassed” Rybakina by refusing to leave her alone during the 2024 US Open after their split. He violated a “no contact” order that was part of his provisional suspension from the tour.
The 25-year-old has since added Italian coach Davide Sanguinetti to her team. But the situation with Vukov hasn’t exactly disappeared. A recent group photo taken at a private tennis club showed them together again. So what did everyone have to say about it?
Fans react to Elena Rybakina’s reunion with Stefano Vukov
Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment. One commented, “Vukov is toxic!” The WTA had concluded that Vukov’s behaviour was a “contradiction” to the “safe environment” needed for everyone on the WTA Tour and said, “It’s clear to me you have a toxic relationship.”
Elena Rybakina and her team ready for Billie Jean King Cup in Brisbane
(via @StefanDuell) pic.twitter.com/7hDmtHX3vo
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 4, 2025
One fan wrote, “Irrelevant tourney isn’t that guy suspended though???” While other players prepare for the clay season, Elena Rybakina is sticking to hard courts for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in Brisbane starting April 10. Because of this, she’ll miss the Stuttgart Open and lose 500 ranking points, which could push her out of the top 10. The Kazakhistani tennis player didn’t fare too well at the Sunshine Double either—bowing out in the fourth round at Indian Wells and the first round in Miami. Though Vukov has been banned in an official capacity, no rule has prohibited him from taking another position. There were rumours that he might assume the position of her manager instead.
“I’m expecting a lot of tears here ,” one fan wrote. Despite the gravity of her situation and the WTA’s verdict, Rybakina has been clear in her support of her controversial ex-coach. She said he “never abused” her during their time together. She even criticized the WTA’s disciplinary process, calling it unfair and lacking transparency.
Some fans noticed another absence: her family. “Did Elena cut off her ties with her family? Her sister seems nowhere with her,” one fan asked. Another echoed the sentiment: “Why is the bad guy here & her sister’s missing..?” Rybakina’s sister, Anna, has always been a familiar face in the stands, cheering her on. But she hasn’t been spotted lately. The sisters were last seen out shopping together in March. It’s well known that her family wasn’t supportive of her connection with Vukov. Her mother, Ekaterina Rybakina, even sent an email to Vukov asking him not to make her daughter cry again. In response, Vukov refused to coach Elena at one event.
Her father, Andrei, was the one who first introduced her to tennis at the age of six. The former Wimbledon champion has often spoken about how much her parents have supported her journey. Speaking about her mother, she once said, “She’s the one who helps me a lot.” So for them, seeing their daughter distressed was tough to handle.
Despite everything, Vukov has managed to stay close. He might not be the official coach, but he seems to have taken on a bigger role. According to investigators, he “cultivated a relationship of dependence” where Rybakina started to believe she couldn’t succeed without him. What are your thoughts on their relationship? Let us know in the comments below.
The post “Why Is the Bad Guy Here?”- Elena Rybakina’s Reunion With Banned Coach Steve Vukov Sparks Fierce Reactions From Fans appeared first on EssentiallySports.