Defending the Coach: Elena Rybakina Speaks Out After Australian Open Controversy

Kazakhstan’s tennis sensation, Elena Rybakina, has once again stepped forward to defend her coach, Stefano Vukov. Amidst a wave of criticism following her animated gestures and vocal expressions during the 2023 Australian Open semifinal against Victoria Azarenka, the 24-year-old athlete addressed the scrutiny she and her coach faced within the tennis community.

Rybakina, in a recent interview, articulated her frustration with the uninformed opinions circulating about her partnership with Coach Vukov. She expressed that the criticism from those unfamiliar with the full story not only disrespected her coach but also her as a professional athlete. In her words, “People don’t really know us that well and like to comment or say something that they don’t know. It’s not their business at the end of the day. I think it was kind of disrespectful to him and to me. I just had to do it so everybody knows that whatever they can see or think, they don’t know us. Hopefully, we won’t get any other comments like these.”

In that memorable match, Rybakina emerged victorious in straight sets with a scoreline of 7-6, 6-3. However, her quest for a second Grand Slam title was thwarted in the final by the current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, who clinched the title with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Following her runner-up finish at the Australian Open, Rybakina faced challenges maintaining her momentum in subsequent major tournaments throughout the year. In the French Open, she withdrew from the competition during the third round due to illness, prematurely ending her campaign.

The Wimbledon Championships, where Rybakina was defending her title, proved to be another setback. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals by last year’s finalist, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, after a closely contested match that ended 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, saw Rybakina’s journey halted in the third round by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.

Despite the challenges and controversies, Rybakina’s talent and determination continue to shine. As the tennis world eagerly watches her career progress, her unwavering support for Coach Vukov serves as a testament to the strong partnership that has guided her journey in professional tennis.