Elena Rybakina entered the Australian Open final as an underdog against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka; but by match’s end she found herself holding aloft the trophy! While all eyes were focused on Rybakina during this momentous occasion, another moment caught the attention of fans during this unforgettable tournament: Rybakina was hitched up to an embarrassing gaffe during which fans laughed their heads off!
As part of an exciting new tradition at the Australian Open, coaches of both women’s and men’s singles champions now receive awards on court from tournament officials. When her longtime coach Stefano Vukov stepped forward to receive his own trophy on court he highlighted Vukov as her longtime companion who has been with her since 2019 including through to her 2022 Wimbledon title win despite some allegations regarding Vukov and whether his presence caused controversy amongst rival coaches and rival players alike. However Vukov remains controversial.
Vukov remains a contentious figure after serving a six-month suspension in 2025. The WTA suspended him following allegations that he breached the tour’s code of conduct, centered on his behavior toward Rybakina. By August, the suspension was lifted, permitting him to rejoin the team. Throughout the surrounding drama, Rybakina remained steadfast in her support for him, making her position clear during the 2025 US Open.
“I never had any issues with him, so for me it’s just nice to see him in the box,” she said. “We obviously have good communication, and we never had [an] issue.” For Rybakina, it’s less about outside commentary and more about the trust, comfort, and connection they share.
Still, during the final itself, cameras captured a moment that sparked conversation. In the first set—which Rybakina won 6-4—Vukov was seen shouting and yelling from the player box. This intensity seemed somewhat out of place given that Rybakina was already in control of the match at that point.
Online, reactions were swift. Many viewers criticized Vukov’s behavior, describing it as off-putting. Despite this, Rybakina remained unshaken by the criticism and firmly stood by her coach.
Rybakina Highlights the Impact of Her Coach’s Guidance
At her post-match press conference, a reporter asked Rybakina to reflect on who has played the biggest role in helping her achieve her current level of success. Without hesitation, she credited her longtime coach Stefano Vukov, emphasizing the length and depth of their partnership.
“Stephano, my coach. I have been working with him for such a long time already. I don’t even know, from 2019 guys. It was a long period. Definitely his help, and he knows me very well,” Rybakina stated.
She also acknowledged the contributions of her physio and fitness coach, underscoring that her achievements are the result of a collective team effort.
Currently, Rybakina’s support team includes physiotherapist Stefan Duell and strength and conditioning coach Aldo Chiari. While Duell and Chiari prefer to stay out of the spotlight, Vukov often draws attention both for his positive impact on her game and for the controversies that sometimes surround him.
For Rybakina, the message is clear. “Without these guys, it wouldn’t be possible for sure… last year was not a perfect one, and in the end, we managed to turn it around.” She expressed deep gratitude not only toward her core team but also everyone who works behind the scenes, many of whom fans never get to see.
No one could dispute Rybakina’s progress since Vukov’s return. Late in 2025 she found her form again by winning titles at Ningbo Open and WTA Finals before carrying this momentum through to Melbourne for Australian Open where her impressive performance propelled her all the way to victory and became part of history.
Rybakina not only claimed her title win but also garnered significant prize and ranking points to propel herself to world No.3 on the WTA Tour and cement her place among tennis’ elite players.