It’s a really particular year for Elena Rybakina, but, regardless of what is really happening to her, I would like to say just one thing: leave her alone. The Kazakh has given up playing several competitions due to stomach problems but also back problems, one of the most recent cases is the China Open in Beijing.
But this season Elena has won three WTA titles: the Brisbane International, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, showing an always fluctuating condition and a series of retirements before or during some tournaments. In addition, the latest big news is the end of the collaboration with the historic coach Stefano Vukov, who has trained her since she was 17.
Sonya Tartakova, the well-known and experienced Russian journalist specialized in tennis, shed light on the possible psychophysical form of the player was. In her opinion, the 25-year-old was subjected to strong psychological stress by her coach and the mental health problems resulting from this relationship are the real reason for her current absence from the circuit.
“She is very stressed, it is something psychosomatic. She is in a chaotic moment, in a completely disorganized state, she cannot play. Stefano was ready to continue working with Elena, she decided that they would break up because of an inappropriate attitude towards her. He constantly ate her, as people around Elena said. Her parents defended her, because she could not get out of that vicious circle. The family insisted that Elena needed a change in her tennis life: there was pressure, insults, nastiness, words that constantly came out of Vukov’s lips,” she told.
Elena Rybakina© @TennisworldUSA X account
Tartakova has communicated how there could have been a sanction for the coach by the WTA, but the news is just a rumor and has no official evidence at the moment: “I looked for information, because we talked about it months ago that supposedly a statement had been released that had suspended him within the circuit. No one has confirmed it. We will soon find out if he will find a new student, if this sanction exists: Vukov says no,” she added.
If this were confirmed, I can only imagine the psycho-physical stress that the Kazakh had to face. Elena is a great tennis player, she has shown it in recent years and deserves respect even from the fans, who in recent months have attacked her for not having played many tournaments. I have said it many times, in many editorials: mental health is fundamental for athletes and for all of us. If you are not well, you cannot perform and you only risk hurting yourself. Elena is a girl like many others, before being a tennis player, and she has the right to play, not to play, to spend moments of tranquility and peace. I’ve said it many times in support of tennis players like Emma Raducanu, Eugenie Bouchard or Nick Kyrgios. Leave her alone.
The comments of Sonya Tartakova (tennis journalist) about Rybakina situation in english for those who was interested in translation https://t.co/saZxq07iHt pic.twitter.com/uPt0mIrUKg
— Balthazar (@dratsab13_x) September 24, 2024
The split with coach Stefano Vukov
A few weeks ago, just a few days before the start of the US Open, the last Slam tournament of the season, Rybakina had chosen to separate from her coach. The Kazakh tennis player had communicated to fans, via a story on Instagram, how she had split paths with coach Stefano Vukov, who will no longer follow her starting from the New York Slam.
“Hello everyone. After 5 years, Stefano and I will no longer work together. I thank him for his work on the court and I wish him all the best for the future. Thank you all for your support,” wrote Elena, who obviously did not want to go into the details of the reason that pushed the two not to continue together.
Details that are coming out now and that are making the world of tennis pale.
BREAKING:
Elena Rybakina announces split with Stefano Vukov:
“Hello Everyone,
After 5 years, Stefano and I are no longer working together.
I thank him for his work on-court and wish him all the best for the future.
Thank you all for your support.” pic.twitter.com/ULrVAwLjI0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 22, 2024
Just days before the #USOpen begins, Elena Rybakina announces she has split with her longtime coach Stefano Vukov.
One of the more discomfiting coach/player relationships in women’s tennis is no longer. pic.twitter.com/vmzfC9EWWP
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 22, 2024
Elena Rybakina’s case is increasingly mysterious: Rybakina is living a 2024 full of ups and downs https://t.co/Ge51Me49LG #WTATennis #ElenaRybakina pic.twitter.com/sor23Ok5yl
— TennisWorld USA (@TennisworldUSA) September 28, 2024
Russian journalist reveals shock details about alleged abuse Elena Rybakina endured: Sofya Tartakova claims she has heard some infos about the Rybakina and Stefano Vukov split. https://t.co/dBGp5E1Z2j #TennisStories #ElenaRybakina pic.twitter.com/Ih1QtKaHu7
— TennisWorld USA (@TennisworldUSA) September 24, 2024