Elena Rybakina has expressed her disappointment regarding the WTA Tour’s decision to ban her former coach, Stefano Vukov, following an investigation into potential code of conduct violations. The WTA announced last month that Vukov was provisionally suspended from official roles at tournaments after Rybakina confirmed his return to her coaching team.
Concerns about Vukov’s behavior have persisted for years, notably during his tenure coaching Rybakina, who clinched the Wimbledon title in 2022. A WTA statement confirmed that the investigation into Vukov’s actions has concluded, maintaining the suspension in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
After her victory against Rebecca Sramkova at the Qatar Open, Rybakina stated, “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that any more. I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I’m thinking only about the way I need to play.” Despite the challenging circumstances, Rybakina is prioritizing her performance on the court.
Rybakina, who previously parted ways with Vukov before rehiring him ahead of the ongoing season, reiterated her support for him, stating, “I don’t agree with a lot of things what WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano.” She emphasized that she has never experienced any form of mistreatment from Vukov.
The effect of Vukov’s suspension on their coaching relationship remains uncertain. Recently, Rybakina transitioned to Italian coach Davide Sanguinetti after parting ways with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. Sanguinetti acknowledged the close relationship between Rybakina and Vukov, indicating a collaborative coaching environment.
As Rybakina sits at the seventh position in the world rankings, she is viewed as a strong contender for major titles, although she has faced ongoing health challenges attributed to insomnia.
