Way too much chaos” – Elena Rybakina winning Australian Open ruled out by tennis insider amid Stefano Vukov saga
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and 2023 Australian Open finalist, is facing significant challenges ahead of the 2025 Australian Open due to ongoing controversies involving her coaching team. These issues have led some tennis analysts to question her prospects in the tournament.
The primary concern centers around her former coach, Stefano Vukov, who was provisionally suspended by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for an alleged breach of its code of conduct. Rybakina, who parted ways with Vukov in August 2024 before the US Open, had recently announced plans to reintegrate him into her team. However, the WTA’s suspension has complicated this reunion. Rybakina has publicly defended Vukov, stating, “I have never made any complaints… he never mistreated me.”
In the interim, Rybakina appointed Goran Ivanisevic as her coach on a trial basis until the end of the Australian Open. Ivanisevic, known for his previous work with Novak Djokovic, has expressed uncertainty about his future with Rybakina, especially in light of the potential return of Vukov. He commented, “I am, for the moment, here. What’s going to happen in a couple of days, I don’t know.”
This coaching instability has led to skepticism among tennis insiders regarding Rybakina’s performance at the upcoming Grand Slam. Analyst Jon Wertheim remarked, “I just think there is way too much chaos here. I don’t think Elena Rybakina makes it to the weekend.”
Despite these distractions, Rybakina remains focused on her game. She is set to face Australian teenager Emerson Jones in the first round of the Australian Open. While the off-court issues present a significant hurdle, Rybakina’s resilience and on-court prowess cannot be underestimated. As the tournament unfolds, it will become clear whether she can overcome these challenges and replicate or surpass her previous successes in Melbourne.
