First, a quick intro. Stefano Vukov is a former tennis player from Croatia who became Rybakina’s coach in 2019. Since then, she’s skyrocketed from a promising talent to a Wimbledon champion and a top-five player. Not too shabby, right?
But their dynamic is… unique. He’s famously intense on the sidelines, while she’s famously calm. It’s like watching a firecracker coach a mountain. People can’t help but wonder: is that passion purely professional, or is there a little spark of something else?
Here’s the thing: neither Rybakina nor Vukov has ever confirmed a romantic relationship. In fact, when asked directly, they usually brush it off with a laugh or a polite “we’re just focused on tennis.” And honestly? That’s a very smart PR move.
“Some people just love the toxic life” - Fans worried dearly for Elena
The Clues (or Lack Thereof)
Okay, let’s play detective for a second. The main “evidence” for a relationship is their constant togetherness. They travel together, practice together, and he’s at every single one of her matches. But that’s literally a coach’s job. I mean, if your boss followed you to every single coffee break, you’d also start getting questions.
Another clue people point to is their body language. There are photos of them hugging after big wins, and sometimes they stand very close to each other during practice. But again—tennis is an emotional sport. After winning a Grand Slam, you hug your coach. It’s called basic human decency, people!
And let’s not forget the infamous “steak dinner” story. A fan once spotted them having dinner together at a fancy restaurant, and social media lost its collective mind. “They’re dating! I knew it!” Turns out, coaches and players eat dinner together. Shocking, I know.
