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Dinara Safina’s Powerful Message to Elena Rybakina Hiring Her Ex-Coach
Dinara Safina is pleased to see her former coach Davide Sanguinetti join Elena Rybakina’s staff, as the Russian tennis icon describes the Italian as a fantastic person who also understands his player.
On Monday, the 2022 Wimbledon champion named 1998 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Sanguinetti as her new coach.
Before this agreement was reached, the world No. 5 parted ways with Goran Ivanisevic.
Also, there is the uncertainty regarding the Stefano Vukov fate as the 37-year-old is still not allowed to officially coach on the Tour until the WTA finishes their investigation.
However, Rybakina won’t be alone at this week’s Abu Dhabi Open.
While some fans were a bit surprised with the Kazakh’s coaching pick – mainly because they didn’t know much about Sanguinetti – the Italian actually worked with a top player in the past.
Safina to Rybakina: This is a major bonus for you
“I heard the news a little earlier, but I was asked not to tell anyone,” the former three-time Grand Slam runner-up told Bolshe Tennis, as translated from Russian.
“I’m sincerely happy about this collaboration, because I know Davide personally, I’ve worked with him myself and I have nothing but fond memories of him.
“He was by my side in difficult times, and he really wanted to help me, he encouraged me a lot. You know, he always tries to understand the player, which is important as a coach.
“Another important point: he communicates very well and is friends with Stefano Vukov, so I think that’s a big plus for Elena too. We can only wish them good luck and we’ll be keeping a close eye on this.”
Safina, now 38, began training with Sanguinetti in 2011, which regrettably proved to be her final season on the Tour.
After performing some extremely significant things early in her career, the Russian suffered an awful back ailment, and while she didn’t formally retire until 2014, her final match was in May 2011.
