Rybakina Defends Once-Banned Coach After Australian Open Win

Elena Rybakina broke a nearly four-year Grand Slam drought by winning the Australian Open—and her once-banned coach was back by her side.

Rybakina, 26, defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final on Saturday to claim her second Grand Slam singles title. Her first Grand Slam win was at Wimbledon in 2022.

Sandwiched between her two major titles was a controversial separation with  Stefano Vukov, her coach who first joined her team in 2019 when she was 19 years old. 

In September 2024, following the US Open, Rybakina parted ways with Vukov. The Croatian coach was then provisionally suspended by the WTA for breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct. Vukov had reportedly been verbally abusive to Rybakina. 

Rybakina defended her former coach, and reportedly wanted to bring Vukov back to her team ahead of the 2025 Australian Open last January. 

“Definitely, as I said before, I don’t agree with a lot of things that the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano,” Rybakina said ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.

But Vukov’s WTA suspension was upheld and Tennis Australia did not issue Vukov a credential to the tournament. 

Days after the conclusion of the Grand Slam, Vukov was handed a one-year suspension by the WTA. Vukov, 38, allegedly engaged in “abuse of authority and abusive conduct” toward Rybakina, according to The Athletic. The investigation also cited that Vukov had mentally abused the tennis star, calling her “stupid” and “retarded,” which led to “physical illness or other symptoms.” 

Vukov denied the allegations, and Rybakina continued to support her former coach. The two also reportedly began a romantic relationship.

In August, Vukov’s suspension was lifted by the WTA and he returned to coaching Rybakina at the 2025 Cincinnati Open. Three months later, Rybakina, upset Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals and a record $5.24 million prize.

Rybakina had failed to make it past the fourth round of any Grand Slam in 2025. She credited Vukov’s return for her recent success during her 2026 Australian Open run.

“I think it’s a big help because of course he knows me the best,” Rybakina said ahead of Saturday’s final. “With his advice on the court, during the matches, it definitely makes a difference.”

Following her Australian Open win, Rybakina, who climbed up two spots to world No. 3, called the ordeal an “unpleasant experience.” 

“I understood who we are, and who are the people truly close to us. The ones you can trust. And now, I’m satisfied with my team. I hope that all of this will stay behind us, and that we will only reach greater heights.”