You don’t get kicked off for nothing” – Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters on Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach Stefano Vukov’s presence at US Open before split

Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters recently weighed in on Elena Rybakina’s rollercoaster 2024 season and her separation from coach Stefano Vukov. The former players pondered whether the tennis world was headed for bad news regarding the matter.

among days of the 2024 US Open, Rybakina and her long-time coach Vukov parted ways, creating a lot of attention among the tennis world. Suspicion regarding the abrupt separation intensified after the World No. 4 announced his resignation from the Grand Slam and there were rumours that Stefano Vukov’s name had been taken off the WTA coaches’ list.In response to Elena Rybakina’s shocking withdrawal from the US Open following her 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory against Destanee Aiava in the opening round, Roddick said:

this is not the first time this season that Rybakina has pulled out of a tournament. She withdrew from the WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Rome, where she was the defending champion. She also retired in Dubai and Berlin and pulled out of Eastbourne International.

Following these illness- and injury-related withdrawals, Rybakina also pulled out of the Paris Olympics due to acute bronchitis. Roddick thus expressed concerns after her US Open withdrawal.