Elena Rybakina has recently made headlines not just for her performance on the courts but for her ever-evolving coaching situation, especially during the prestigious Australian Open. The Kazakh tennis star, who stunned the world by winning Wimbledon in 2022, found herself at the center of discussions after her fourth-round exit in Melbourne, but it’s the changes in her coaching staff—particularly the appointment of Davide Sanguinetti—that have piqued interest.
At the end of 2024, Rybakina brought Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion, on board to coach her. This decision had fans and pundits alike excited, as Ivanisevic is well-known for his winning mindset and strategic insights. Unfortunately, the partnership was short-lived. Rybakina faced the upheaval of re-hiring Stefano Vukov, her previous coach, just before kicking off her 2025 season at the Australian Open.
Vukov and Rybakina had parted ways the previous year amid controversies, with Vukov under investigation and serving a provisional suspension. Some observers noted the peculiar timing of Rybakina's decision to re-hire Vukov, with reports hinting at Ivanisevic feeling blindsided by the move. Nevertheless, Rybakina's push to reunite with Vukov indicated her desire for stability as she approached the Australian Open, which is often considered the first major tournament of the year.
Despite these coaching changes, Rybakina managed to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open, battling through physical challenges, including back problems. During her match against Madison Keys, the impact of her physical difficulties became apparent. "There is a lot of work to do physically after last year's problems," said Sanguinetti, Rybakina’s new coach, recalling the extent of her issues. "The physiotherapist worked a miracle to manage to get her to play, and she almost won against the future champion." Keys eventually won the match 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, but Rybakina’s grit made it clear she was still capable of competing at high levels.
Davide Sanguinetti, who stepped up to coach Rybakina after her split with Ivanisevic, described his initial impressions of working with the world number five. He expressed admiration for her playing style and potential, stating, "Elena is a player I appreciate; her game has always fascinated me. Someone like her cannot settle for winning Wimbledon... the goal is exactly to win another Grand Slam." This statement encapsulates not just Rybakina's ambition but Sanguinetti's determination to guide her back to the upper echelons of competitive tennis.
Having trained together for just a week prior to the Australian Open, Sanguinetti has aspirations to refine Rybakina’s physical capabilities and encourage her to adopt a more aggressive playing style. "She can still grow physically and acquire more speed, she must try to be more aggressive," he noted, signaling a clear direction for their collaboration.
Despite the turbulent coaching carousel, it appears Rybakina and Sanguinetti are already building effective rapport. After training together, Sanguinetti articulated the dynamic he hopes to cultivate: "Once you have won a Major, maybe this year, you can aim to become number one by 2026, that's the dream." Rybakina’s goals remain high, and she is eager to put her recent controversies behind her as she looks for the next opportunity to shine on the international stage.
Now with Sanguinetti and Vukov on her team, Rybakina has her eyes set on the upcoming tournaments. Following her time at the Australian Open, she is headed to the Middle East to compete at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she is the defending champion. Her opening match saw her triumph over America’s Katie Volynets, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Looking back at her historic victory at Wimbledon, fans are hopeful Rybakina can once again reach those heights.
The tennis community remains supportive as Rybakina navigates these changes, and many are eager to see how her new coaching setup influences her performance moving forward. After all the uncertainty, one thing is certain: Rybakina’s quest for another Grand Slam title is far from over.