Who is Elena Rybakina and why was coach Stefano Vukov banned?

Born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan on the international stage, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina has often described herself as a global nomad. As she once put it, “I don’t live anywhere, to be honest.” While her roots span multiple countries, one place where she consistently feels at home is on the tennis court—particularly Melbourne’s hard courts.

The 26-year-old power hitter claimed the Australian Open title after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, avenging her three-set loss to the Belarusian in the 2023 championship match. The victory marked another milestone in Rybakina’s career, which already includes a Wimbledon title secured in 2022.

Rybakina’s decision to represent Kazakhstan has long attracted attention, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted several Russian players to switch allegiances. However, her move came much earlier, in 2018, when she was ranked 175th in the world and still an emerging talent. Addressing questions during her Wimbledon run, she said: “They believed in me. There is no more question about how I feel.”

The transition was supported by Kazakhstan Tennis Federation president Bulat Utemuratov, who played a key role in backing her professional development. Rybakina later explained that the switch came at a crossroads in her life, saying, “It was of course not easy financially.”

Away from competition, Rybakina has also faced intense scrutiny over her relationship with coach Stefano Vukov. Reports last year detailed allegations of abusive behaviour and a possible romantic relationship, claims both parties denied. Rybakina firmly defended him, stating, “I always said that he never mistreated me.” After a provisional suspension, Vukov was cleared to return to WTA events in August, with the tour reaffirming its commitment to athlete safety.

On the court, Rybakina’s game continues to command respect. Standing 1.84 metres tall, she has delivered 41 aces during the tournament, more than any other women’s player. Semi-final opponent Jessica Pegula highlighted her composure, describing Rybakina as “cool as a cucumber,” a reflection of the calm intensity that defines her championship performances.