Elena Rybakina on return of coach Stefano Vukov: “It’s just nice to see him in the box”

NEW YORK—Elena Rybakina is looking like her old self, and ready to turn the page after a turbulent stretch over the past two years.

The No. 9 seed routed former US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 on Friday to reach the fourth round for the first time, and has done so without dropping a set.

The 26-year-old, born in Russia and representing Kazakhstan, credits her resurgence to improved health and stability in her coaching box—with controversial coach Stefano Vukov back on her team after being banned for eight months from the WTA Tour.

👉 READ MORE: Stefano Vukov, coach of Elena Rybakina, cleared by WTA Tour to return from suspension

“This year I tried with a new coach,” Rybakina said, referring to her brief stint with Goran Ivanisevic during the Australian Open. “Didn’t work out in the beginning, so the results were not the same as previous years. But for now, I think we are managing and getting closer to where I want to be… I’m happy how the work is going right now.”

“Things definitely in the box definitely helps a lot,” she added. “I think it’s important when the whole team can support you.”

Rybakina and Vukov parted ways shortly before last year’s US Open, after which the WTA announced he was under investigation for breaking the Code of Conduct and banned him from attending official Tour events. The ban was upheld in February amid concerning reports that Vukov called Rybakina “stupid,” made her cry, and subjected her to mental abuse, pushing her beyond her physical limits and causing her to become ill.

Rybakina, who consistently stood by her coach and criticized her WTA peers for not supporting her during the investigation, doubled down again in New York.

“It’s just nice to see him in the box. We obviously have good communication,” she said. “We never had issue, so…”

Vukov, who appealed his ban and was cleared at the start of August, rejoined Rybakina for the North American swing.

Rybakina arrived in New York after strong results over the summer, reaching the semifinals in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati—the latter including a confidence-boosting win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

She also opened up about her off-court health struggles, including insomnia that began in 2023 and carried into last year, which she said left her immune system compromised and contributed to illness.

“I had big issues with insomnia, (in) like 2023, the whole year was pretty tough for me,” Rybakina said. “I played a lot, and we had different schedule… and (in 2024) I was struggling almost the whole year. But now it’s much better. Now I have no issues, which I’m pretty happy.”

Now back to full health and eager to move forward, the 2022 Wimbledon champion is set to face the 2023 Wimbledon winner, Marketa Vondrousova, on Sunday. The Czech lefty recorded a statement win over No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini 7-6 (4), 6-1 to advance.