Elena Rybakina wins Australian Open amid controversy over coach's trophy presentation

The 2026 Australian Open women's singles final concluded with Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina battling through three sets to defeat top seed Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, earning her second Grand Slam title in her career. However, the victory was not met with unanimous applause, as the sight of coach Stefano Vukov holding the trophy during the ceremony sparked renewed debate.

As a new tradition at the Australian Open, coaches of the men's and women's singles champions receive a dedicated trophy. Vukov's appearance on stage to accept the award brought back memories of his suspension controversy in 2025. The Croatian coach was temporarily banned in January 2025 for alleged violations of the WTA code of conduct, later receiving a one-year suspension and being barred from entering the Australian Open venue. Although Vukov successfully appealed in August 2025 and rejoined Rybakina’s team on site, the controversy has not fully subsided.

Notably, Vukov’s return coincided with a resurgence in Rybakina’s form. Since his comeback, the Kazakh player’s performance improved significantly, winning the Ningbo Open and the WTA Finals at the end of 2025, and now claiming the title at Melbourne Park to start the season strong. Rybakina has publicly defended her coach multiple times, stating that Vukov “has never let me down” and that his return has been “invaluable” to her technical progress. In her victory speech, she said, “We have been through so much together,” which many interpreted as a reference to the team’s struggles during his suspension.

This triumph marks Rybakina’s first Grand Slam win in three and a half years and will propel her back to a career-high world No. 3 next week. Holding both Wimbledon and Australian Open titles, she is currently at the peak of her career. Meanwhile, with this Melbourne victory, Vukov’s position within the team has been solidified despite lingering public debate over his past misconduct; for now, their on-court success has provided a temporary resolution to the controversy.

For Vukov, whose reputation once hit rock bottom, the truth of the matter becomes harder and harder to examine as time passes. Did Rybakina save Vukov’s coaching career, or did Vukov help Rybakina reach the pinnacle of her profession?

Looking ahead, Rybakina will carry the momentum of her Australian Open win into upcoming tournaments. Whether her partnership with Vukov will continue to produce strong results and if the shadow of controversy will resurface remain key points of interest in the tennis world.

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