Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina is back working with her coach following his suspension from tennis
10:41, 31 Jan 2026Updated 11:28, 31 Jan 2026
Coach Stefano Vukov is back in Elena Rybakina(Image: Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
Elena Rybakina’s coach was once prohibited from attending her matches while serving a ban. The Australian Open champion, who defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in Saturday’s final, has had her long-standing coach, Stefano Vukov, backing her from the players’ box.
Rybakina parted ways with Vukov in August 2024 before a short stint with Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic. Following her separation from Ivanisevic in early 2025, she brought Vukov back on board.
However, he was prevented from attending her matches after the WTA suspended him over allegations of mistreatment towards her. Vukov refuted any misconduct and received backing from Rybakina, who said she never made “any complaints” about him.
She added: “I don’t agree with a lot of things the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano.” Vukov’s ban was eventually overturned on appeal last August.
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A WTA statement read: “The WTA is fully committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all athletes and other participants, as set out in our WTA Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code.
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“Any sanctions issued following a breach of these safeguarding rules are carefully considered and are subject to appeal before an independent tribunal. While case details remain confidential, we can confirm that Mr Vukov is eligible to receive credentials at WTA events.”
Meanwhile, Rybakina commented on Vukov’s return to courtside duties, saying: “I think it’s a big help, because of course he knows me the best. With his advice on the court during the matches, it definitely makes a difference.”
Rybakina has defended Vukov(Image: Getty)
Sabalenka and Rybakina were the standout players in the women’s draw heading into the tournament. Their form has continued in Melbourne, with neither dropping a set before the final.
Three years after losing to the same opponent in one of the great recent grand slam finals, and three-and-a-half since winning her first major title at Wimbledon, Rybakina is back at the top of the women’s game.
It will be another bitter pill to swallow for Sabalenka, who led 3-0 in the deciding set, only for Rybakina to stage a fightback and triumph 6-4 4-6 6-4.
Rybakina after becoming Australian Open champion for the first time(Image: Getty Images)
Having won back-to-back titles in Melbourne in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka has now lost close finals two years in a row after Madison Keys got the better of her 12 months ago.
Last year she lost five of her nine finals, including bitterly to Coco Gauff at the French Open and to Rybakina at the WTA Finals, and, while she claimed a fourth slam title at the US Open, the pattern is undeniable.
Rybakina, who has now won 10 consecutive matches against top-10 opponents, served out the victory with her sixth ace, celebrating in typically understated fashion with a clench of the fist.
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