Rybakina talks about Vukov and remains evasive about the split with Ivanisevic
Elena Rybakina is present at the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi, where she is the number 1 seed.
She has hired Davide Sanguinetti as her new coach, as Stefano Vukov is still suspended and unable to accompany her.
She clarified her relationship with Vukov: "I'm not happy with the situation or the comments I'm seeing, especially from people on Tour.
I don't think it's fair. I've known Stefano for six years and I respect him for everything he's done.
From the time I was ranked 200th to the time I won a Grand Slam, he's always been there. He's never treated me badly."
Rybakina also spoke about the end of her collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic, which came after the Australian Open and her defeat by future tournament winner Madison Keys.
However, she remained evasive: "We sat down, talked things over and decided to go our separate ways.
But I think I've learned a lot and it's not easy to find a good partnership. Of course, it takes time, that's the decision we made."