Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. I’m super excited to share some awesome news with you all about the latest drama in the tennis world. If you’re anything like me, you love diving into the behind-the-scenes stories that make our favorite sports even more fascinating.
Recently, the tennis community has been buzzing about Elena Rybakina and her decision to part ways with long-time coach Stefano Vukov just days before the US Open. This shocking move has left many wondering what could have led to such a drastic change. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s been going on.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, made headlines when she fired Vukov three days before the start of the US Open. What made it even more intriguing was that they arrived together in New York but then decided to part ways. This sudden change has sparked numerous theories and speculations about why Rybakina made this decision.
One of the key points is the behavior and attitude of Vukov during their time together. Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs recently shared her thoughts on the matter, stating that she wasn’t a fan of Vukov’s coaching style. She expressed that she saw Vukov yelling at Rybakina in the gym and giving her negative feedback even when she won matches. These observations were echoed by other players who witnessed similar behavior from Vukov.
“Hey, if you’ve listened to our podcast, I had my feelings and my thoughts when it came to her coach,” Stubbs said. “I thought he was not a good element. When I’m playing a match, I don’t want to see my coach gesturing, looking all pissed off up there. And there’s been some coaches of late that I’m like, ‘Why do these players allow these coaches to look like this?’ Because you need a positive influence around you when you’re looking up there.”
Russian tennis insider Sofya Tartakova made a bombshell claim, suggesting that Rybakina’s health issues might be psychosomatic due to the heavy stress of working with Vukov. Tartakova mentioned that Rybakina was under a lot of pressure and dealing with insults and bad words from Vukov.
“Elena Rybakina’s parents stood up for her because she could not break this vicious circle,” Tartakova explained. “On the one hand, this is the coach who worked with her since she was 17, and she herself, together with her family, chose him. On the other hand, it is clear that they were very close, she won the main achievements of her career thanks to their joint work, and her parents insisted that Lena change something in her tennis life because there was pressure and insults.”
Rybakina’s decision to part ways with Vukov has also led to speculation about her future in tennis. After making the move, she won her opening match at the US Open but then abruptly withdrew from her second-round match due to a reported back injury. The WTA listed this as the official cause but many believe it could be related to her decision to leave Vukov.
The drama surrounding Rybakina and Vukov is a perfect example of how personal and professional relationships can impact an athlete’s performance on the court. It’s a reminder that even at the highest levels of competition, mental health and positive influences are crucial for success.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia
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