Dinara Safina is happy to see her former coach Davide Sanguinetti joining Elena Rybakina's team as the Russian tennis legend says the Italian is a great person but also someone who perfectly understands his player.
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On Monday, the 2022 Wimbledon champion announced 1998 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Sanguinetti as her new coach.
Before this deal was struck, 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 big plus 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.
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"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, who is now 38 years old, started working with Sanguinetti in 2011, which unfortunately turned out to be her last season on the Tour.
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After doing some very notable things early in her career, the Russian sustained an unfortunate back injury and although she didn't officially retire until 2014, her last match came in 2011 May.
