Rybakina adds Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching team

The 2022 Wimbledon champion is in Abu Dhabi ahead of her title defence at the 500-level event

Elena Rybakina, Australian Open 2023 Image Credit: Zuma / Psnewz

February 2, 2025

Elena Rybakina has announced that she has added Italian veteran Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching team, ahead of her title defence in Abu Dhabi.

The Kazakh hired fellow Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic at the end of last season, before announcing that she was set to bring former coach Stefano Vukov back into the fold, something which caused acrimony with Ivanisevic, who then left after her team after this year’s Australian Open.

Rybakina revealed that she is still in touch with Vukov, despite him being banned from WTA events due to an ongoing investigation into his conduct towards the player.

“We are working with David like just did one week of preparation and actually Stefano knew him a little bit and I knew him a little from before,” Rybakina said.

“So he was actually available and sometimes he would speak with Stefanos like since they know each other and yeah we see how it goes. But for now, I’m happy with the way we worked this week. Hopefully, it will go well for us but again it’s something you need to take time and get used to each other.”

Elena Rybakina has added Davide Sanguinetti to her coaching staff.

He is with her here in Abu Dhabi and in communication with Stefano Vukov, who is still provisionally suspended by the WTA as they investigate alleged breach of Code of Conduct. pic.twitter.com/qVnlYES1NB
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 2, 2025

Rybakina has always insisted that Vukov did nothing wrong.

“I think safeguarding is important but the case what happened with us I don’t think that was handled well,” she said.

“At the end of the day, I think that you need to listen to the player is most important because as I said before there are a lot of comments from people which also in our environment.”