After Grand Slam in 2023, Elena Rybakina has been on a rollercoaster of highs and lows in 2024, with the Kazakh tennis star battling inconsistency, injury, and a notable coaching split. After a breakout win at Wimbledon in 2022 and maintaining a top-5 ranking throughout 2024, many had high expectations for her to further establish herself. Another Slam didn’t seem out of the question. However, her season has been marked by an unpredictable combination of injury setbacks and off-court issues, raising concerns about her future trajectory.
Coaching Changes
One of the biggest turning points came just before the 2024 US Open when Rybakina parted ways with her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov, whom she had worked with for five years. Speculation followed regarding the exact reasons behind the unexpected split. Rybakina offered little insight into the fallout, fueling rumors that the relationship had grown tense. Some insiders pointed to the coach’s reportedly abrasive behavior as a factor. This disruption couldn’t have come at a worse time with Rybakina’s preparations for the final Grabd Slam of the season.
Fitness
Health issues have further complicated her season. Rybakina withdrew from multiple tournaments in 2024, most notably the US Open, where she cited unspecified injuries. While she had previously dealt with Covid-19, which may have affected her long-term fitness, her recent withdrawals have left fans speculating about her physical condition. Without a doubt, there is a clear difference between her play before and after her bout with Covid. Some have questioned whether lingering effects from her illness have hampered her performances, while others have pointed to the mental toll from the coaching split and accumulated injuries.
Another factor in Rybakina’s slump may be due to the cumulative pressure of staying at the top after her Wimbledon success. It’s not just the injuries or the abrupt coaching split; there’s also a visible strain on her game during tight match situations. In high-pressure tournaments this year, she’s struggled with maintaining her usual level. Rybakina’s inconsistency suggests there may be deeper issues, like the need for a coaching team that fully understands her game and can support her evolving style of play. A refreshed approach to training along with strategic tournament scheduling to manage her fitness might help her rebound. Her next steps will be crucial, not just for immediate results but for establishing long-term stability in her career.
Next Steps
Despite these struggles, Rybakina’s talent remains undeniable. She recorded impressive wins early in the season, with titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart, as well as reaching the finals in Doha and Miami. Her ability to shine on different surfaces has proven her versatility. Yet her inconsistency in high-stakes moments continued to prevent her from fully capitalizing on her chances. A semifinal appearance at Wimbledon hinted at a possible resurgence, yet injury and fatigue seemed to derail her momentum in the latter half of the year. Rybakina skipped the Paris Olympics and withdrew from the US Open.
Looking ahead, Rybakina’s immediate future remains uncertain. With the WTA 1000 event in Beijing and the WTA Finals approaching, fans are hoping she can return to full fitness and regroup for the final stretch of the season. The question now is whether she can find the stability and support she needs to regain her form. Her coaching situation is in limbo at the moment. Finding a new mentor who can help her get her form and fitness back will be crucial. Yet, given her talent and past success, Rybakina should not be written off. How she manages her health and the mental strain of a bittersweet year will influence her results going forward.
For Rybakina, the season has been a mixed bag of success and setbacks. While she has shown she can compete at the highest level, such as her Wimbledon semifinal, injuries and off-court challenges have stalled her momentum. The next few months will be pivotal in determining whether she can bounce back. There is enough time to establish herself again as a consistent contender for Grand Slam titles. After all, she hasn’t lost her booming serve and powerful hitting off both wings. The only question is whether that will be enough. Rybakina will need to resolve both her physical and coaching issues to be a Grand Slam champion once more.
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
