Rybakina Speaks on Teaching Scenario and “Unfair” Feedback from Shriver

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 11, 2025

Elena Rybakina took questions from the press in the present day and, naturally, most of them have been about her teaching state of affairs. The World No.6, who shook up the tennis world by asserting she could be bringing former coach Stefano Vukov again into her crew even supposing she employed Goran Ivanisevic to be her coach late final 12 months, offered some readability in regards to the fluid state of affairs, however not a lot.

Rybakina, who will face Emerson Jones in her opening match in Melbourne, admitted that the present state of affairs is way from superb. Vukov is presently below provisional suspension from the tour, and has not been granged a credential on the Australian Open.

Learn Extra: Rybakina in Limbo, as Vukov Faces Suspension from the WTA Tour

“Properly undoubtedly not the perfect state of affairs,” she stated. “As I stated, I’m not pleased with the entire state of affairs. Particularly when nonetheless some coaches are making some feedback, and the people who find themselves not so near the tennis world simply see the feedback they usually choose it up and make much more of a present out of this.

“I don’t suppose it’s honest. My purpose right here is to give attention to the matches. That is what I’m gonna do.”

Rybakina clarified her present state of affairs, saying that Ivanisevic could be along with her in Melbourne, and hinted that rumors that Ivanisevic was blindsided by the information that Vukov could be rejoining the crew weren’t true.

“We’re right here, we’re working, sure it’s him,” she stated, including: “As I stated already I’m not going to discuss it extra, because the state of affairs just isn’t clear from the WTA Tour.”

Rybakina labeled feedback made by Pam Shriver in regards to the nature of her relationship with Vukov as unfair and stated she had by no means spoken to the American.

It’s a subject that’s close to and pricey to the legend’s coronary heart. In 2023 Shriver opened up for the primary time about an inappropriate relationship she had along with her former coach when she was simply 17.

“I don’t know her personally,” Rybakina stated of Shriver. “She by no means got here to me. She by no means talked with me. I do know her story. It’s unhappy, but it surely doesn’t imply different gamers are dealing with the identical points. She doesn’t know me. I don’t know her. I don’t suppose it’s honest to make any feedback like that. Particularly being an energetic coach, commentator, journalist and so forth.”