World No.4 Elena Rybakina abruptly cuts ties with coach days out from US Open
Updated . First published at
Just days out from the US Open, Kazakhstan star Elena Rybakina has abruptly cut ties with her coach Stefano Vukov.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion made the announcement on social media as she prepares for the final grand slam of the year.
"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," she wrote.
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Rybakina hired Vukov as her coach in 2019, while the now 25-year-old was still playing in ITF events.
They enjoyed considerable success together, winning Wimbledon two years ago, while also qualifying for the Australian Open final.
Rybakina's least successful grand slam is at Flushing Meadows, where she's made the third round twice.
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She returned to the court at the Cincinnati Open after being out with an illness that ruled her out of the Olympics.
It's been a difficult season for Rybakina, with illness also ruling her out of Indian Wells, Rome and Berlin.
Vukov has copped some heat in the past over his communication with Rybakina but the world No.4 often defended him.
Elena Rybakina reacts after losing her Australian Open final match to Aryna Sabalenka. Mark Kolbe via Getty Images
"He helps me a lot. We have open dialogues, and we've worked already for four years," she said.
"Sometimes I have bad days but people might not see it.
"And of course, when we work on the court, I respect him a lot, I'm trying to listen and get all the information I can."
