Amidst growing concerns about Elena Rybakina and her coach Stefano Vukov, tennis journalist recalls the time Alexander Bublik came to her defense
Sportswriter Tumaini Carayol has joined many other experts in calling out Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov for his unprofessional behavior with the player, especially at the 2023 Australian Open.
Vukov has been working with the 23-year-old Kazakh since 2019. Under his guidance, Rybakina won her maiden Grand Slam title — 2022 Wimbledon Championships — and broke into the top 10 of the WTA rankings after reaching the final of the recently-concluded Australian Open.
However, the coach has been criticized by experts and fans, alleging that he doesn't treat the soft-spoken player well. Vukov was seen yelling at Rybakina during her semifinals and finals in Melbourne, which prompted former player Pam Shriver to appeal to the reigning Wimbledon champion to change her coach.
Speaking to journalist Ben Rothenberg on a podcast, Carayol urged Vukov to tone down and stop being negative with the player.
"He's extremely animated and intense, shouting, putting his head in his hands, he's very loud and very negative," Carayol said. "It's a big contrast between her [Elena Rybakina], given how quiet and reserved she is. At the bare minimum, this should really be for Vukov to reflect on how you speak to your pupil. You can be energetic and animated without being so negative."
Carayol recalled how Alexander Bublik asked Vukov not to put pressure on Rybakina when the two players were training together.
"It was at Eastbourne when Rybakina was training with Bublik and after hitting with him, she started to return his serves. It wasn't easy, she returned a couple. But after every serve, you saw Vukov just sprint to the baseline, taking her racquet and showing her how to return. She was really getting a bit annoyed and flustered."
"In the end, Bublik said, 'Why don't you return my serves' to Vukov. He then served him five aces and jokingly said, 'Leave the girl alone. Don't put pressure on her'."
"Not something I can accept" - Marion Bartoli on Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov
After Pam Shriver, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli also opined that Elena Rybakina should show the door to her coach Stefano Vukov and find a coach who shows her respect.
Speaking on an episode of the Match Points podcast, Bartoli said:
“The way Rybakina’s coach is talking to Rybakina on the court is just not something I can accept. I just can’t take that any more. I sincerely hope for her sake and for her to be able to continue that game that she will be able to find a coach that talks with respect to her no matter what the result is because she is really trying her hardest on the court."