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By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Saturday, January 4, 2025
Photo: Elena Rybakina on Instagram
Elena Rybakina rear coach Stefano Vukov—and is calling out several coaches on Tour for their criticism of him.
Last week, Rybakina announced that Vukov, who previously coached her for more than five years, was joining her team as an assistant coach under the head coach. Goran Ivanishević.
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After Rybakina’s announcement, Athletics broke the news that Vukov is serving a temporary suspension that prevents him from obtaining a coaching credential for this month’s Australian Open.
Several coaches and commentators, including Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbshave criticized Vukov for his treatment of Rybakina.
World No. 6 Rybakina said Vukov has not mistreated her and reiterated that she is not happy to see critical comments from other coaches.
“Of course I’m not really happy with the situation. I’m not happy with the comments I see, especially from people who are on tour,” Rybakina told media at the United Cup in Sydney. “They are active trainers, commentators, I don’t think it’s right.
“Yeah, but the only thing I can say is he’s never mistreated me. I have respect for him for everything he’s done from the beginning when I was 200 years old all the way we’ve been, like, I don’t know. You can you name me other coaches who have had the same success with players who have been 200 years old and then won grand slams and are at the top.
Ivanisevic, who has coached Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic to Grand Slam championships, is said to have been unaware of Vukov’s return and blindsided by the news.
However, Rybakina said she is happy with how her partnership with Ivanisevic is progressing, but did not say whether her new coach is happy with her former coach’s return to the team.
“Well, I’m working with Goran, and these articles came out, I mean, I can only say and I’ve said it before that (Stefano Vukov) has never mistreated me or it was never anything like that.
“I mean, I’m working with Goran. I’m happy how we work now for a few weeks. As I also said, that Stefano is joining the team because I know the person for six years, and there’s a lot of things we can do outside the court “.
