Tennis

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has parted ways with her longtime coach Stefano Vukov after five years of collaboration. The announcement was made by Rybakina herself on her Instagram stories on Thursday.Rybakina's decision to end her partnership with Vukov comes ahead of the 2024 US Open. The Kazakh player has worked with Vukov throughout her rise up the WTA rankings, achieving significant success under his guidance. However, Vukov's coaching style has attracted criticism from fans and fellow coaches, including Hall of Famer Pam Shriver.Shriver, who currently coaches Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic, has expressed concerns about Vukov's treatment of Rybakina. In a tweet in 2023, Shriver stated, "I hope she finds a coach who speaks and treats her with respect at ALL times and does not ever accept anything less."Rybakina responded to Shriver's comments with a strong defense of Vukov, claiming that he is a passionate coach with a deep understanding of her as a person and an athlete. She emphasized that she would never tolerate a coach who did not respect her or their hard work.Despite her defense of Vukov, Rybakina has now decided to end their partnership. The Kazakh player has not yet announced a replacement coach. She is scheduled to play her first round at the US Open against Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava.Rybakina's decision to part ways with Vukov is a significant development in her career. It remains to be seen how this change will impact her performance on the court. However, the Kazakh player has proven her resilience and determination in the past, and she will undoubtedly be looking to continue her success in the future.

Marketa Vondrousova Commences Grass-Court Season with Victory in BerlinBERLIN, Germany - Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova kicked off her grass-court campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over qualifier Rebeka Masarova in the opening round of the Berlin Ladies Open on Monday.The fifth-seeded Vondrousova displayed her dominance on the surface, breaking Masarova's serve three times throughout the match. She sealed her victory with a decisive forehand winner, mirroring her success against the Spaniard at the start of the French Open.Vondrousova's next opponent in the second round will be Anna Kalinskaya. The Czech star is aiming to replicate her historic Wimbledon triumph last year, where she became the first unseeded woman to lift the trophy. In the final, she overcame 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.Vondrousova's victory in Berlin marks a promising start to her grass-court season. She will be eager to continue her momentum and challenge for another Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, which begins on June 26th.

Elena Rybakina, the 24-year-old Kazakhstani tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on the WTA tour, despite facing numerous physical challenges. With three titles and 26 match wins this year, she leads the tour in both categories.Rybakina's resilience has been tested this season. She was forced to withdraw from the Dubai tournament due to gastro-intestinal issues and skipped Indian Wells due to ongoing health problems. However, she has responded with determination, reaching the finals of the Australian Open, Doha, and Miami Open 1000.Her breakthrough came at Wimbledon in 2022, where she became the first Kazakhstani to win a Grand Slam title. Despite the controversy surrounding the ban on Russian players, Rybakina's victory showcased her exceptional talent.Rybakina's success is attributed to her powerful serve, which has produced 207 aces this year. She has also improved her return game, which has been crucial in her victories over top-ranked players like Iga Swiatek.Beyond her physical attributes, Rybakina's mental toughness is her greatest asset. She maintains composure under pressure and finds ways to grind out matches, even when facing adversity.Despite her physical setbacks, Rybakina's determination and resilience have propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings. She is currently ranked No. 4 and has a 4-2 record against Swiatek.Rybakina's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity, but her unwavering spirit and exceptional talent have made her one of the most formidable players in women's tennis.