Elena Rybakina’s Resurgence in Tennis
Elena Rybakina has seen a significant resurgence in her performance this tennis season, particularly following the reinstatement of her coach, Stefano Vukov, who had previously faced a ban from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Vukov, a Croatian coach, was sidelined at the beginning of the season after the WTA imposed a ban in January. This restriction lasted until August, when Rybakina was able to welcome him back to her coaching team.
Challenges and Early Season Struggles
Initially, Rybakina faced several challenges in the early months of the year. She was eliminated in the fourth round of the Australian Open and only celebrated her first title by winning in Strasbourg at the end of May. Her struggles continued as she suffered fourth-round losses at Roland Garros and the third round at Wimbledon, the very tournament she had triumphantly won in 2022.
Turning Point with Coach Vukov’s Return
However, upon Vukov’s return, Rybakina’s form took a notable turn. She triumphed at the Ningbo Open and advanced to the semi-finals at the Japan Open, although she opted to withdraw from the latter to ensure her qualification for the WTA Finals.
Dominance at the WTA Finals
Rybakina went on to dominate the WTA Finals, finishing the event undefeated and securing an impressive eleven-match winning streak to cap off her season. The positive influence of Vukov has not gone unnoticed. Former doubles world No. 1 and Olympic champion Elena Vesnina remarked on the noticeable improvement in Rybakina’s game due to her coach’s return during a recent interview with Russian outlet Championat.
Vesnina acknowledged initial skepticism surrounding the coach-player reunion but pointed out Vukov’s deep understanding of Rybakina’s abilities and mindset. She emphasized that Vukov knows the nuances of her game, suggesting that his guidance has facilitated Rybakina’s ability to maintain her composure, especially given her often reserved demeanor on the court. “Lena can reflect internally at times, and Stefano has the skills to bring her back to focus with his unique methods,” noted Vesnina.
Celebrating Rybakina’s Triumph
Further celebrating Rybakina’s title at the WTA Finals, Vesnina admired her tranquil approach to such a prestigious tournament, comparing her demeanor to that of a routine local match. This calmness, she suggested, illustrates Rybakina’s impressive temperament and resilience, contributing to her resurgence to prominence in the WTA rankings, alongside her previous win at Wimbledon. Rybakina’s victory at the WTA Finals also came with the largest prize pool in tennis history, highlighting her remarkable year on the court.
