World No. 10 Elena Rybakina has made a fresh change to her coaching setup, bringing on board renowned strength and conditioning coach Aldo Chiari.
Currently competing in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in Brisbane, Rybakina played a key role in Kazakhstan’s victories over both Australia and Colombia.
The former Wimbledon champion decided to strengthen her fitness team following her split with Azuz Simcich, officially announcing her collaboration with Chiari. Rybakina shared:
“Welcome to the team,” Elena Rybakina said.
Aldo Chiari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and a Master’s in Clinical Posturology. The Italian brings more than two decades of experience working with professional and Olympic-level athletes.
In contrast, Elena Rybakina has faced challenges in stabilizing her coaching setup in recent months. Her head coach, Stefano Vukov, was suspended from the tour following a code of conduct violation, and her former fitness coach parted ways with her in February.
Azuz Simcich, her previous coach, addressed the split on social media, stating:
“After an incredible journey alongside Elena, it’s time to move on. I’m deeply grateful for the experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments we shared. Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in your future endeavors,” Elena Rybakina’s ex-trainer said
Elena Rybakina helps Kazakhstan qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after withdrawing from the Stuttgart Open 2025
Elena Rybakina, who was the reigning champion in Stuttgart this year, chose to skip the tournament in order to represent Kazakhstan in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
“I know the schedule overall is very packed, and it’s not easy to even schedule the Billie Jean King Cup. But ideally, if we go to one part of the world, it will be nicer to play the same part. Now, for example, the clay court [season] starts and [some have] already played even tournaments on clay.
“I can’t play all the tournaments. Of course Stuttgart is nice, but I always like to play team competitions. It’s nice to play for your country, so I’m happy to make this decision,” Elena Rybakina added
Following a second-round exit in Miami, Elena Rybakina headed to Brisbane to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. She teamed up with fellow Kazakh players Yulia Putintseva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, and Zarina Diyas to face Team Australia.
The 25-year-old delivered strong performances, winning both her singles matches—first against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, then against Colombia’s Yuliana Lizarazo. Kazakhstan became the first team to clinch a spot in Shenzhen, joining Spain, Ukraine, Great Britain, and Japan in the finals.
