Jelena Rybakina (6th WTA) is considered one of the most uncomfortable rivals for Iga Świątek (2nd WTA). Our best tennis player was able to beat her only twice in the six matches she played. However, the previous season was not particularly successful for her. After a good start, she withdrew from the competition several times. After the US Open, she did not compete at all until the WTA Finals due to back problems. In the meantime, she made a radical decision. She broke up with coach Stefano Vukov. However, the breakup with the Croatian did not last long, because on Wednesday Rybakina announced that he would return to her staff.
Rybakina announced it to the world. Everyone held their breath
She shared this message on InstaStories on New Year's Day. – Hello everyone, I am happy to announce that Stefano will join the team in the 2025 season. Thank you all for your support and I wish you a great 2025 – she announced briefly.
The decision is already causing quite a sensation in the tennis community. After Vukov's dismissal, Rybakina started a relationship with Novak Djokovic's former coach, Goran Ivanisevic. It seems that now she will benefit from the help of both men. The only question is how cooperation will develop between two such strong characters. However, this is not what ignites the greatest emotions.
Fans still remember the shocking news about Rybakina and Vukov's previous relationship. And these would not be very healthy. – I don't want to use harsh words, but his approach as her mentor was inappropriate. People who were around her say he constantly trampled on her, literally sucking everything out of her, claimed Russian journalist Sofia Tartakova.
Fans are scared after what Rybakina announced. “It can't make sense”
Former Australian player Rennae Stubbs also spoke equally disturbingly about Vuk in her podcast. “Off the court, he might be, in some ways, the greatest guy in the world to her. But as a trainer, I saw too many things in him where he shouted at her in the gym. Other players told me different things. When Rybakina won matches, he spit on her, she said. It was the tensions between the player and the coach that could have contributed to Kazaszko's health problems.
Fans, bearing those rumors in their minds, were surprised that the tennis player decided to cooperate again. “What is this Stockholm syndrome?” – asked one of the commenters on the X platform. “It's really strange, he leaves, then comes back after a short time. It looks like an argument and a quick reconciliation,” added another. “It cannot be explained in a sensible way”, “I am speechless…” – we could read. Internet users wonder whether Rybakina and Vukov have a personal relationship. These types of rumors have also appeared in the past.
The world media reacted in a similar tone to Rybakina's move. The website tennisuptodate.com writes about the “controversial return”. In turn, tennis365.com emphasizes that “this information shocked tennis fans.” “Rybakina made at least a strange decision at the beginning of the new season. (…) There were rumors that the Croatian had repeatedly crossed the limits, which is why the player's parents intervened and broke off their relationship,” wrote Romanian Eurosport.