Elena Rybakina won her second major title at the 2026 Australian Open.
Not long after her WTA Finals triumph in Saudi Arabia, Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.
The Kazakh was excellent from start to finish on Rod Laver Arena, producing a masterclass to double her Grand Slam tally.
How many Grand Slam titles does Elena Rybakina win in her career?
But what happened in the hours before the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles final?
During the latest episode of ‘Love All‘, Blair Henley and Kim Clijsters answered that very question.
Stefano Vukov was giving Elena Rybakina ‘technical advice’ right before Australian Open final
“From the outside looking in, I was able to watch some of her practices, and [Stefano] Vukov does not really stop talking,” said Henley.
“There is so much chatter; it looked to me that during her closed practice prior to the final, he was actually giving her technical advice during that time period.
“I always find that fascinating. That is something you see sometimes on the [Novak] Djokovic practice court as well.
“But making slight technical adjustments two hours before you go on court for one of the biggest matches of your life?
“Every player is different!”
Former Australian Open champion Clijsters was also keen to weigh in.
Kim Clijsters in Grand Slam finals
| Grand Slam final | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2001 French Open | Jennifer Capriati | Kim Clijsters | 6-1, 4-6, 10-12 |
| 2003 French Open | Justine Henin | Kim Clijsters | 0-6, 4-6 |
| 2003 US Open | Justine Henin | Kim Clijsters | 5-7, 1-6 |
| 2004 Australian Open | Justine Henin | Kim Clijsters | 3-6, 6-4, 3-6 |
| 2005 US Open | Kim Clijsters | Mary Pierce | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2009 US Open | Kim Clijsters | Caroline Wozniacki | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2010 US Open | Kim Clijsters | Vera Zvonareva | 6-2, 6-1 |
| 2011 Australian Open | Kim Clijsters | Li Na | 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
“You can’t underestimate the added nerves and stresses that come with that and the thoughts you have about playing a final,” she said.
“I have noticed since I stopped playing and being around some of the players, that a lot of players like going to the technical side because it takes their thoughts away from what is coming up in the next two hours.
“It gives them something extra to focus on, like a couple of pointers here or there.
“I would not have liked a coach who was talking my ear off during a warm-up before a Grand Slam final or even the first round, but that is where the players have to figure out what works for them.”
It clearly worked for Rybakina, as she won her first Grand Slam title since 2022, rising to world number three in the process.
What’s next for Elena Rybakina after Australian Open win?
Rybakina, like many of her WTA rivals, will now head over to the Middle East for the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai.
Who will win the 2026 Qatar Open?
First up is the Qatar Open, but how has she performed at the event so far in her career?
Elena Rybakina at the Qatar Open (8-4)
- 2025 Qatar Open QF [LOSS] vs Iga Swiatek
- 2025 Qatar Open R16 [WIN] vs Rebecca Sramkova
- 2025 Qatar Open R32 [WIN] vs Peyton Stearns
- 2024 Qatar Open F [LOSS] vs Iga Swiatek
- 2024 Qatar Open SF [WIN] vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
- 2024 Qatar Open QF [WIN] vs Leylah Fernandez
- 2024 Qatar Open R16 [WIN] vs Emma Navarro
- 2024 Qatar Open R32 [WIN] vs Lin Zhu
- 2022 Qatar Open R64 [LOSS] vs Jaqueline Cristian
- 2021 Qatar Open R32 [LOSS] vs Laura Siegemund
- 2020 Qatar Open R16 [LOSS] vs Ash Barty
- 2020 Qatar Open R32 [WIN] vs Alison Van Uytvanck
- 2020 Qatar Open R64 [WIN] vs Sorana Cirstea
She is a former runner-up in Doha, losing to Iga Swiatek in 2024.
She’ll be hoping for more of the same, if not to go one better in 2026.
The 2026 Qatar Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 9.
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