Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters recently weighed in on Elena Rybakina’s rollercoaster 2024 season and her separation from coach Stefano Vukov. The former players pondered whether the tennis world was headed for bad news regarding the matter.
Rybakina’s split from her longtime coach Vukov just days before the 2024 US Open generated immense buzz in the tennis community. The World No. 4’s subsequent retirement from the Grand Slam and reports of Stefano Vukov’s name being removed from the WTA coaches’ list fueled further speculation about the sudden separation.Addressing Elena Rybakina’s unexpected exit from the US Open after winning the first round against Destanee Aiava 6-1, 7-6 (1), Roddick said:
“Wins convincingly the first round of the US Open after coaching breakup but doesn’t mention the specifics like, ‘injuries – I’m out; I’m done,'” he said on ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast.
This is not the first time this season that Rybakina has pulled out of a tournament. She withdrew from the WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Rome, where she was the defending champion. She also retired in Dubai and Berlin and pulled out of Eastbourne International.
Following these illness- and injury-related withdrawals, Rybakina also pulled out of the Paris Olympics due to acute bronchitis. Roddick thus expressed concerns after her US Open withdrawal.
“I don’t feel like we know the full story and I hope that it’s something that is a short-term problem or issue if it’s health… we just don’t know what it is but are we just in wait-and-see mode with her? There’s obviously more to the story but we can’t have an opinion on something you don’t know anything about,” he said.
“You don’t get kicked off for nothing” – Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters on Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach Stefano Vukov’s presence at US Open before split
