Elena Rybakina slams 'disrespectful' comments about her coach ahead of Iga Swiatek clash at Indian Wells
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ByEurosport
Published 17/03/2023 at 08:37 GMT
Elena Rybakina has again come to the defence of her coach Stefano Vukov. Vukov was seen shouting at Rybakina during the Australian Open which led to comments criticising the coach for his methods. Rybakina, who lost in the Australian Open final, defended Vukov on social media after the defeat. Following her progression to the Indian Wells semi-finals, Rybakina has again publicly backed him.
'I should have been more aggressive' - Rybakina after losing to Sabalenka in Australian Open final
Elena Rybakina has reiterated comments made about her coach Stefano Vukov were "disrespectful" after her win in the Australian Open semi-finals.
The pair appeared to get into a heated exchange during her semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka in January and Vukov was seen repeatedly shouting at the reigning Wimbledon champion.
After the Grand Slam, Rybakina defended Vukov's coaching methods in an Instagram post.
She has again maintained her position after reaching the Indian Wells semi-finals following a hard fought 7-6(4) 2-6 6-4 win over Karolina Muchova.
"People don't really know us that well and like to comment or say something that they don't know," Rybakina said about the coach she has worked with since 2019 in an interview with Tennis Channel.
"It's not their business at the end of the day. I think it was kind of disrespectful to him and to me."
The 23-year-old added: "I just had to do it [put out a social media post] so everybody knows that whatever they can see or think, they don't know us. Hopefully, we won't get any other comments like these."
Rybakina admits there are times she gets angry at her team when she is stressed on court.
"Its difficult because, well, I'm stressed out kind of every point," she joked.
"So sometimes I can get mad also for no reason to tell something to my team, but hopefully they understand.
"I'm trying to focus on myself, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not. So it's just something between us but everything is good."
Rybakina will fancy her chances against Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals on Friday evening, having beaten the Pole 6-4 6-4 in their last meeting in the Australian Open fourth round.
"For sure it’s going to be different than in Australia," Rybakina said.
"Before the match in Australia, we played also many times. For sure it’s going to be a tough match.
"I would say there is things, of course, which I’m doing preparing for each opponent, but overall my game is to be aggressive. As I said, here it’s not easy, but I still have to stick to this game plan, and then try to prepare, to think also with my coaches what we can do here."
The world No. 10 is currently on course to face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final of Indian Wells which would be a repeat of the Grand Slam final in Melbourne.
After beating Coco Gauff 6-4 6-0 on Wednesday, Sabalenka will play Maria Sakkari in the last four on Friday.
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