More Will Come Out’ About Rybakina’s ‘Weird’ Split From Coach Vukov Says Clijsters

More Will Come Out About Rybakina’s ‘Weird’ Split From Coach Vukov, Says Clijsters

Former world No. 4 Elena Rybakina’s surprising split from her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov, has raised eyebrows in the tennis world, with former tennis star Kim Clijsters predicting that “more will come out” about the situation. The breakup, which happened earlier this year, was described as “weird” by Clijsters, adding to the intrigue surrounding one of the WTA’s rising stars.

The Breakup: A Sudden and Unexpected Change

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and one of the brightest talents on the WTA Tour, had worked with Vukov since 2019. Under his guidance, she made significant strides in her career, culminating in her Wimbledon victory and other notable results, including a string of strong performances in 2023. However, their professional relationship took a sharp turn earlier this year when Rybakina abruptly announced their split.

Vukov, who was often seen animatedly coaching Rybakina from the sidelines, was an integral part of her success. His intense courtside presence garnered both praise and criticism, with some suggesting that his coaching style was overly aggressive. Despite the mixed reception, the duo’s partnership was undeniably successful, making the breakup all the more puzzling.

Kim Clijsters Weighs In

Kim Clijsters, a former world No. 1 and now a respected tennis commentator, was one of the first prominent figures in the tennis world to comment on the split. Speaking during a broadcast, Clijsters remarked that the split between Rybakina and Vukov seemed “weird” and suggested that there might be more to the story than initially reported.

“There are always things happening behind the scenes that we don’t know about, and I think more will come out eventually,” Clijsters noted. Her comments have sparked further speculation about the reasons behind the breakup, with many fans and pundits eager to understand what went wrong between the player and coach.

Rybakina’s Silence

Despite the growing curiosity, Rybakina has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the split. In the few statements she has made, Rybakina focused on her future and her goals for the rest of the season rather than discussing her decision to part ways with Vukov. “I felt like it was the right time to make a change,” she said in a brief interview, without delving into the details.

Her decision to move on from Vukov comes at a crucial time in her career. As one of the top players on the WTA Tour, Rybakina is expected to contend for more Grand Slam titles and major trophies. With the WTA Finals approaching and the 2024 season around the corner, her choice of a new coach will undoubtedly be critical in maintaining her momentum.

Clijsters’ Perspective

Clijsters, who has herself navigated the complexities of player-coach relationships during her illustrious career, understands the importance of a strong partnership between a player and their coach. She emphasized that such splits are rarely straightforward, especially when a player and coach have shared significant successes.

“Sometimes, you just need a change, even if things are going well,” Clijsters explained. “But the timing of this split is interesting, and I think there’s more to the story than we know right now.”

Looking Ahead

For now, Rybakina is focused on the remainder of the season as she navigates this transitional period. Whether or not more details about her split with Vukov will come to light remains to be seen, but as Clijsters suggested, the story is far from over.

Rybakina’s fans and the tennis world at large will be closely watching her performance in the coming months, eager to see how the coaching change will impact her game. The upcoming tournaments will provide a clearer picture of how she adapts to her new team and whether her decision to part ways with Vukov will prove to be the right one.

In the unpredictable world of tennis, one thing is certain: change is constant, and the effects of this high-profile split may be felt for some time to come.