Elena Rybakina has confirmed she will once again start working with Stefanos Vukov less than four months after the duo parted ways.
The former Wimbledon champion has issued a brief statement confirming that her former mentor will be joining her team alongside Goran Ivanisevic. Rybakina recently appointed Ivanisevic as her new coach and was under his guidance during the off-season. No details have been given about how the three will work together in the coming weeks.
“I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” Rybakina said in a statement posted on Instagram.
Vukov was in charge of the Kazakh for five years until shortly before this year’s US Open when they ended their collaboration. There has been mass speculation surrounding the reasons for Vukov’s departure which was fuelled by his name disappearing from the list of coaches published on the WTA website. One of the rumors was that he was issued with some form of ban.
However, Vukov has reportedly denied that he was banned whilst speaking to journalist Sofya Tartkopva for an interview that is yet to be posted by the Russian website MORE! | Tennis. According to the publication, he will be flying to Melbourne on January 4th. It is said that Ivanisevic will be the head coach under the new setup but this is yet to be officially confirmed.
Rybakina is currently playing at the United Cup, where she has so far won all of her singles matches without dropping a set. She has beaten Jessica Bouzas Moneiro, Maria Sakkari and Laura Siegemund to help guide Kazakhstan into the semi-finals.
“I think the balls are flying quite fast here. This is good for my game,” Rybakina said of her start to the season.
“The courts are also not that slow. I like it when it’s faster. It helps me a lot.
“Today (against Siegemund) I am also served pretty well so I’m happy with my performance.”
Rybakina is hoping to get herself into top form for the Australian Open, which will start on January 12th. She has lost in the second round in three out of her past four appearances at Melbourne Park, including last year. However, in 2023 she reached the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.