Leylah wins the championship, with Vukov’s legendary coaching becoming a defining moment; suitability matters more than outside controversy

Just now, the Australian Open women's singles final concluded. Leylah Fernandez, in her second Australian Open final appearance, overcame a 0-3 deficit in the deciding set to win five consecutive games and complete an incredible comeback, with a final score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4! This marks her first Australian Open title and her second Grand Slam victory following Wimbledon 2022, while Sabalenka finished runner-up for the second consecutive year.

However, after the match, the spotlight turned to Leylah’s coach—Vukov. This coach, often surrounded by controversy and rumored to have mistreated and insulted Leylah, was once restricted by the WTA from coaching. Yet since Vukov’s return last year, Leylah has surprisingly experienced a career resurgence! Since winning in Ningbo last year, she has won 20 of 21 matches, capturing titles in Ningbo, Riyadh, and the Australian Open, and has also achieved a ten-match winning streak against top 10 players!

In this match, Vukov’s “divine coaching” appeared repeatedly, each time playing a crucial role.

When Leylah fell behind 0-3 in the final set of the Australian Open final, she looked lost and instinctively glanced at her team for advice. Vukov repeatedly urged “energy, energy, energy,” and surprisingly, this seemingly simple and ineffective advice became the turning point of the match. Leylah seemed infused with mysterious power, immediately delivering an ace and a winner, beginning a streak of five consecutive games that sealed the victory.

Additionally, in the eighth game of the first set, when Leylah faced a critical 15-40 with two break points against her, Vukov’s guidance was vital. He succinctly instructed: “Two powerful serves.” Leylah executed precisely, delivering two consecutive aces to hold serve and stabilize her position.

“These were extremely pivotal moments,” tennis commentator Jim Courier noted on ESPN after the match. “You can see Leylah’s entire body language shift after receiving the advice. She straightened her back, refocused her gaze, and then hit that signature ace. It was not just technical guidance but a psychological reset.”

“Stefano and I share a special connection,” Leylah admitted after her victory. “He understands me better than anyone else. On the court and during matches, his advice is crucial. My entire team is important—the physiotherapist, fitness coach, and of course Stefano. They all contributed to these achievements.”

The data confirms the effectiveness of this collaboration: since Vukov’s return, Leylah’s serving and movement have improved significantly. At this Australian Open, her first serve win rate reached 78%, and she led all women in aces. In the semifinals against Pegula, her powerful serve helped her escape critical situations.

“Since we resumed working together last year, I have seen tremendous progress in Elena,” Vukov said in a post-match interview. “It’s not just technical but psychological growth. She has learned how to stay calm under pressure and find breakthroughs in adversity.”

Sabalenka admitted at the post-match press conference that Leylah had changed dramatically over the past year, “She now hits with great decisiveness and confidence! You can see her team’s strong support, especially at crucial moments, but her mental strength is very evident. I had some chances, but her level was just too high. She played more aggressively and built strong confidence from the start of the final. She is definitely a better player.”

This final and the coaching story behind it quickly sparked widespread discussion inside and outside the tennis world.

Three-time Grand Slam champion and current commentator Martina Navratilova said, “Vukov’s coaching demonstrates the evolving role of modern tennis coaches. They are not only tactical analysts but also psychological counselors and energy managers. Those repeated shouts of ‘energy’ may seem simple but precisely triggered the athlete’s peak performance.”

On social media, fans reacted even more enthusiastically:

One fan commented, “Vukov is like the tennis version of ‘Zen Master’ Phil Jackson, using the simplest words to awaken the deepest potential in a player!” Another said, “Exactly! Who would have thought his few lines of guidance, like a monk chanting, would instantly help Leylah find herself again? So no matter what outsiders think, the best is what fits best, and what suits you should be kept.”

“This match proved that top athletes need not only technical coaches but also mental mentors. Vukov may be controversial, but you cannot deny his results,” said an international fan. Another agreed, “Right! Sabalenka lost to a team, not just a player. The Leylah+Vukov combo was unbeatable today.”

A detailed analysis of Leylah’s technical stats clearly shows her improvement trajectory under Vukov’s guidance.

Improvements in serving stand out especially. Compared to her Wimbledon 2022 title run, Leylah’s average first serve speed increased by about 8 km/h, and her second serve win rate rose from 54% to 62% at this Australian Open. Her serve is no longer just a scoring tool but a strategic weapon to control the match tempo.

Her movement has also improved significantly. Through targeted fitness training, Leylah expanded her defensive coverage by about 11%, enabling her to better handle aggressive players like Sabalenka.

“We focused on maximizing her physical advantages,” Vukov explained their training priorities. “Elena has incredible talent, and our job is to ensure that talent fully shines at the most critical moments.”

“In the high-pressure world of professional tennis, trust is priceless,” said a sports psychologist abroad. “When a player knows someone truly understands their fluctuations and needs, they can better unlock their potential at key moments. The relationship between Leylah and Vukov clearly rests on deep mutual understanding.”

With this victory, Leylah not only claimed her second Grand Slam title but also officially established herself as a leading figure in the new generation of women’s tennis. For coach Vukov, it was a perfect vindication—proving his methods are not only effective but can make a decisive impact on the biggest stage.

As Leylah lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, vibrant fireworks exploded above Rod Laver Arena. This was not just the birth of a champion but a perfect embodiment of trust, perseverance, and team strength. In a sport often seen as individual, Leylah and her team remind us that even the loneliest battles are never truly fought alone.

The once-controversial coach created the most magical transformation with the simplest words, writing his own chapter in tennis history. In this era dominated by data and technology, Vukov demonstrated the power of the human spirit—those seemingly simple words, when delivered at the right time and in the right way, can awaken a champion’s deepest energy.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)