Elena Rybakina parted ways with her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov just before the 2024 US Open. This 37-year-old Croatian has been an integral part of her team over the last few years. He helped Rybakina rise to the No. 3 spot in June 2023. Not only that, he also guided her to clinch her first Grand Slam title at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. However, despite these heroics over the years, their relationship was marred by controversies. His behavior during the matches often came under fire. After his split with Rybakina, Vukov maintained a low profile and wasn’t seen much in the last few months. However, recently he was spotted making a public appearance after a long gap.

In February 2019, Elena Rybakina who was then ranked just within the Top 200, hired Stefano Vukov to replace Andrei Chesnokov as her first traveling coach. Throughout the years, we’ve seen Rybakina giving credit to the Croatian for his analytic expertise in helping her improve her game. However, Vukov’s “frantic and intense” style of on-court coaching of the typically stoical Elena Rybakina has often raised a few eyebrows in the tennis world. What does Stefano Vukov have to say about his unique style of coaching?

Interestingly, the coach once said, he “knows very well how to get Elena angry,” to energize her and how to help her tactically focus with a mutual understanding “to push her even when she doesn’t want to be pushed.” Having said that, he also mentioned that he feels this can seem like “too much” for the outsiders. So, amid all the success he has been a controversial figure in the tennis world. Previously, we even saw former players like Rennae Stubbs being critical of his seemingly aggressive coaching style. However, then his sudden absence from the limelight caused a major curiosity among the fans.

Everyone was curious to know about his whereabouts and amid all these, Stefano Vukov was recently spotted in the stands during the World Tennis League. Was he watching Elena Rybankina-Aryna Sabalenka’s match? Well, nothing has been confirmed about that as of now. However, several reports claim he was indeed present during some of the matches played between the Falcons (Rybakina’s side) and the Hawks. Some say he was watching the match between Andrey Rublev and Jordan Thompson.

Is he planning to make a return to the Tour with a new coaching assignment? We don’t know, time will tell! However, we saw Elena Rybakina bringing in Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic in his time after the split with Vukov. Rybakina is Goran Ivanisevic’s first WTA assignment. What did Elena Rybakina say about her former coach and her new member of the team, though?

Elena Rybakina heaps praise on her former coach

Previously we saw Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs shed light on her concerns about Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach Stefan Vukov’s outrageous conduct during her matches. She said, “You guys know if you have listened to our podcast, I had my feelings and my thoughts when it came to her (Elena Rybakina’s) coach. I thought he was not a good element. When I’m playing a match, I don’t want to see my coach gesturing, looking all pissed off up there.“

She further highlighted, “Now, off the court, in a way he might be the greatest guy in the world to her, I don’t know. But when it comes to being her coach, I saw way too many things of him yelling at her in the gym, other players have said stuff to me. When she would win matches, he was giving her sh-t.” While no detailed reason was given for his split with Elena Rybakina, several reports suggesting that Vukov had been taken off WTA’s sanctioned coaches’ list added intrigue to the development.

What did Elena Rybakina say about this split, though? Well, Rybakina heaped praise on her former coach, saying, “I know that a lot of I guess rumors going on. But honestly we just part ways with Stefano. I think we had incredible results over five years. We achieved a lot. I started with him when I was 200. I think it’s just now next chapter of my career. I want to take next step. But yeah, I did stop with Stefano, like as any other coaches and players do, so.” She further added, “But we are good with Stefano. I just wish him also all the best in his new chapter.“

What did she say about her new coach though? Speaking about Ivanisevic, Elena Rybakina said, “I definitely wanted to work with him. I’m sure since he said yes he also, so. It’s just very interesting for me. I want to learn. Yeah, I’m just looking forward. As we just said, it’s something new for me. Also, I’ve been with one coach for a long time. I want to learn.” Do you think Goran Ivanisevic can bring success to her in the 2025 season?