Tennis fans are starting to learn the full brunt of what former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has gone through in 2024 after reports of mistreatment.
The world No.4 has competed in 13 events this year, but she has either withdrawn or retired in 10 tournaments over the past nine months.
Rybakina's last competitive match was at the US Open in the first round against Australia's Destanee Aiava before being forced to pull out of the year's final Grand Slam because of a low back injury.
Her relationship with former coach Stefano Vukov has been under the microscope for years as a result of angry reactions in the players box and during training sessions when in public. His behaviour appeared to be abusive.
Despite defending Vukov on countless occasions, Rybakina took to social media before this year's US Open to announce the pair had parted ways.
"Hello Everyone, after 5 years, Stefano and I are no longer working together,” she posted on her Instagram stories. "I thank him for his work on-court and wish him all the best for the future. Thank you all for your support."
Tennis journalist Sofya Tartakova reported via Tennis Bolshie on YouTube about what has transpired behind the scenes.
"...people who were involved in her professional career have mentioned, right now Elena is under a lot of stress, it is something psychosomatic. She is in a chaotic moment, in a completely disorganised state, she cannot play. All these difficulties that she is facing right now come from the tremendous pressure associated with her former coach Vukov.
"[It] is clear that (Rybakina and Vukov) were very close, that she lived the best moments of her career thanks to working together, but her parents insisted that (Elena) needed a change in her tennis life: there was pressure, insults, bad words that constantly came from Vukov’s lips. And now she is suffering, trying to get rid of these psychological problems."
Under the partnership, Rybakina won the 2022 Wimbledon title and was runner-up at the 2023 Australian Open.
Rybakina hopes to be ready for the WTA Finals in November after withdrawing from the upcoming Asian swing to priortise her health.
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