World No. 4 Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, has found herself embroiled in a turbulent saga involving her now-former coach, Stefano Vukov. The split between Rybakina and Vukov, which occurred just days before the 2024 US Open, has brought shocking allegations of abuse and significant concern for the Kazakhstani star’s well-being. The consequences of this emotional upheaval, combined with her ongoing physical issues, have left her sidelined from competition, as she recovers both mentally and physically.
Rybakina’s ongoing struggles with injury and illness
Rybakina has been in and out of tournaments in 2024 due to a combination of illnesses and injuries. After an impressive semifinal run at Wimbledon, the Moscow-born player pulled out of the Paris Olympics citing bronchitis. Soon after, she withdrew from the US Open due to a lower back injury after winning her opening match. A couple of days ago, she confirmed her withdrawal from two major Asian tournaments in Wuhan and Beijing due to this persistent injury.
In a statement to her fans, Rybakina expressed deep regret for not being able to compete, saying, “Due to an ongoing back injury, I regretfully have to withdraw from the upcoming Asian tournaments. While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical…
