Elena Rybakina’s new coach, Davide Sanguinetti, has affirmed that Stefano Vukov, who has been a key part of Rybakina’s team, will continue to play an integral role in the Kazakh’s support staff due to their strong personal and professional bond.
Sanguinetti, who took the helm of Rybakina’s coaching team ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open, also shared his belief that Rybakina has the potential to claim more Grand Slam titles. Reflecting on the 2022 Wimbledon champion’s career so far, he expressed ambition for Rybakina to achieve even greater success in the future.
In light of Vukov’s current suspension as part of a WTA investigation, Sanguinetti stepped in to work with Rybakina at the Abu Dhabi Open. Vukov, who had been with Rybakina since 2019, parted ways with the Russian-born player in August 2024. Although Rybakina announced that Vukov would be rejoining her team in January, the WTA had suspended him amid an investigation into an alleged breach of conduct.
Vukov’s suspension led to him being denied accreditation for the Australian Open, with Tennis Australia adhering to the WTA’s provisional suspension. The investigation remains ongoing, with no official resolution yet. Despite the suspension, Rybakina worked with another high-profile coach, Goran Ivanisevic, who previously worked with Novak Djokovic. However, Ivanisevic and Rybakina decided to part ways after the Australian Open, ending their brief collaboration.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sanguinetti discussed his growing partnership with Rybakina, emphasizing the need to address her physical concerns after a challenging 2024 season. The 25-year-old’s physical fitness will be a key area of focus in order to bring her game to its full potential.
“This is an exciting new chapter, and I’m fully invested in it,” Sanguinetti stated. “The pressure is high because we’re aiming for victories, but I enjoy that challenge. My past experience coaching Brandon Nakashima, who made a significant jump from No. 160 to No. 35, showed me that there are always opportunities to progress. I’m excited to see how we’ll build things together.”
Sanguinetti revealed that he had long admired Rybakina’s style of play. “Her game has always fascinated me. She’s a player who should have won more, particularly at Grand Slams. One Wimbledon title isn’t enough for a talent like hers.”
Their training sessions in Dubai confirmed the coach’s expectations of Rybakina’s calm demeanor and her willingness to learn. He noted that Rybakina, despite dealing with some physical issues, was very receptive to coaching. “She listens well and strives to implement feedback. There’s a solid foundation to build on, but we still have a lot of work to do to address the physical challenges she faced last year.”
Reflecting on Rybakina’s recent performance at the Australian Open, where she battled through back issues to reach the Round of 16, Sanguinetti highlighted her resilience. “Even with the back pain, she managed to push Madison Keys to the brink. That kind of spirit shows just how much potential she has.”
Sanguinetti believes that Rybakina’s physical game can still evolve. “She’s capable of becoming faster, more aggressive, and more comfortable at the net. There are many small tactical adjustments we can make to further enhance her game at the top level.”
When asked about managing a coaching team with two figures, Sanguinetti downplayed any concerns. He emphasized the strong working relationship he shares with Vukov. “Elena and Stefano are close, and he will always remain an important part of the team. We communicate regularly, and I believe having two coaches is becoming quite common these days. It’s not an issue; in fact, it’s a dynamic that can work well.”
Sanguinetti outlined his ambitions for Rybakina, revealing that the immediate focus isn’t on rankings but on securing another Grand Slam victory. “The ultimate goal is to win another major. The rankings will follow naturally after that. Once she clinches another Slam, we can set our sights on aiming for the No. 1 spot in 2026. That’s the dream.”
The Italian coach, whose experience includes working with former WTA No. 1 Dinara Safina and ATP pros Vince Spadea and Go Soeda, expressed confidence in Rybakina’s potential. His most recent charge was American Brandon Nakashima, and his success with the young American underscores his ability to foster player growth.
Meanwhile, Rybakina continues to shine at the Abu Dhabi Open. After defeating Ons Jabeur 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) in the quarter-finals, the defending champion is set to face Belinda Bencic in the semi-finals.