"Vukov and Elena are close, he'll always be there" - Rybakina's new coach hints at role of Kazakh star's former mentor Stefano Vukov
WTA
Despite being suspended by the WTA, Stefano Vukov, former coach of Elena Rybakina, will always be a part of the Kazakh player's team, says Rybakina's new coach, Davide Sanguinetti.
Vukov had been a part of Rybakina's team since 2019. The duo parted ways in August last year, but on January 1 the World No.5 revealed the Croatian coach would be rejoining her team. However, the following day it was announced Vukov had been suspended by the WTA Tour amid an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct. Therefore, he was unable to accompany Rybakina to the 2025 Australian Open.
Having multiple coaches is not an issue, says Sanguinetti
Rybakina added Sanguinetti to her coaching team ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open, with Vukov still serving the suspension by the WTA. However, the Italian stated he keeps in touch with the Rybakina's former coach.
“Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there,” Sanguinetti said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. “Stefano and I talk a lot, we are on the same wavelength. It’s not a problem to have two coaches, it’s almost a trend now.”
Furthermore, Sanguinetti stated although Rybakina did not have any specific ranking goals in mind, the former Wimbledon champion's primary concern is to win another Grand Slam title.
We are not looking at the ranking, but the goal is to win another Slam: the ranking then comes as a consequence," said the former ATP World No.42. “Once you have won a major, maybe this year, you can aim to become number 1 in 2026: that’s the dream”
Elena Rybakina wins a great match against Ons Jabeur 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) to reach the semifinals in Abu Dhabi against Belinda Bencic.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 6, 2025
Good signs from both. pic.twitter.com/CHd87vepgO
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