Coach Honoured After Rybakina's Australian Open Triumph
Elena Rybakina's coach, Stefano Vukov, received a special honour following her Australian Open victory, being presented with his own trophy during the ceremony. This moment came exactly one year after Vukov was banned from attending the tournament while the Women's Tennis Association conducted an investigation into his conduct.
From Suspension to Celebration
Last year, Vukov faced a provisional suspension by the WTA pending an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct. This meant he could not be accredited for the Australian Open, creating a significant disruption to Rybakina's preparations. The Croatian coach denied any wrongdoing throughout the process.
Rybakina publicly defended her coach during his suspension period, and Vukov successfully appealed against his ban, which was lifted in August. Since returning to Rybakina's coaching team, the Russian-born Kazakh player has achieved remarkable success, winning more matches than any other player on the WTA tour.
A Dramatic Final Victory
Rybakina secured her second grand slam title by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final. This victory marked her tenth consecutive win against top-ten opponents and represented a significant comeback three years after her last appearance in a grand slam final, where she lost to Sabalenka in Melbourne.
During the trophy ceremony, after Sabalenka's runners-up speech, tournament officials invited Vukov onto the stage before Rybakina received the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. The host emphasised: "Coaches are an integral part of our game and we would like to call upon Stefano Vukov, the coach of our champion, to collect his trophy."
Vukov then received a ceremonial plate from Jennifer Capriati, the Australian Open champion in 2001 and 2002, in recognition of his contribution to Rybakina's success.
Coaching Impact During the Final
The final itself showcased Vukov's coaching influence. After Sabalenka broke ahead to win the second set and lead the third, Vukov repeatedly urged Rybakina to show "more energy" from the player's box. He peppered her with instructions between sets, and Rybakina responded magnificently, fighting back from 0-3 down in the deciding set to claim victory.
Following her win, Rybakina expressed gratitude toward her coaching team and specifically addressed Vukov's return: "We won many titles together, even last year. In Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy, I feel just proud and thankful to my team for the work."
Rybakina's Journey Back to the Top
The Australian Open victory represents a significant comeback for Rybakina, who had experienced frustrating periods since her 2022 Wimbledon win against Ons Jabeur. Following her defeat to Sabalenka in the Australian Open three years ago, she struggled with injuries and illness, failing to advance past the quarter-finals of any grand slam last year or reach WTA 1000 event finals.
Rybakina reflected on her journey: "Of course, we all have ups and downs. I think everyone thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work. I think we've been putting a lot of work in with the team, and they were also very supportive."
The champion acknowledged that her team provided crucial support during moments when she lacked positivity, and that victories against top players gradually rebuilt her confidence. Her current form suggests this Australian Open triumph could signal the beginning of a dominant period for the talented player and her dedicated coaching team.
