“We usually train together between tournaments”: Elena Rybakina explains how she continues working with banned coach Stefano Vukov

Elena Rybakina is at the center of a controversy regarding her banned coach, Stefano Vukov, who was prohibited by the WTA following accusations of mistreatment against the former Wimbledon champion. However, the Kazakh player has denied the accusations and has managed to continue working with him despite the suspension.

After various confidential accusations against Vukov, the WTA decided to ban him, prohibiting his entry to tournaments organized by and facilities corresponding to the WTA, ITF, and associated tennis institutions. Rybakina has defended him, and after a brief separation – during which Rybakina joined Goran Ivanisevic, former Novak Djokovic coach – they decided to resume their work together, after Vukov traveled to Melbourne to support his long-time charge from outside.

Rybakina explained how she has managed to maintain training sessions with Vukov despite the ban. "We usually train together between tournaments, not when the tournament is ongoing."

After consistent performance on the Tour during recent seasons, injuries complicated Rybakina's second half of 2024, and it hasn't been easy for her to maintain good results this year. "It's definitely not the start of the season I used to have before. Normally, after the preseason, I played very well. This time has been different.”

Rybakina recently won the Strasbourg Open title, her first trophy in a year. “Last year I missed the end of the entire season, it takes me time to get back to where I want, but little by little, I think we are heading in the right direction, working on pretty much everything to be better every day," said the Kazakh in a press conference.

This time at the French Open, Rybakina had a great start, with a couple of victories that extended her winning streak to six consecutive wins. She defeated Julia Riera and Iva Jovic on her way, and will face 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko this Friday. The 25-year-old player detailed her recent work method. "I warmed up at 12:30, and then I was ready by 13:00. It was raining a bit. That didn't change the schedule much, but the previous match, the men's match, was a bit longer.”

"I didn't do much. I just warmed up, changed, had lunch, chatted a bit with the team, and then waited for my match. I took a nap, something I don't usually do. But the previous match was very long. If you play after the men, you never know what's going to happen because they play the best of five. It's a bit complicated. You have to be prepared. If you start warming up and the match continues, you wait and warm up again. It's the most you can do. That's how it is. You try to do your best. Sometimes it happens."