Tennis star Elena Rybakina has defended her former coach Stefano Vukov following allegations of possible misconduct. The WTA had previously confirmed that an investigation had been opened against Vukov. The coach is temporarily suspended, but Rybakina brought him back into the team.
“He never treated me badly, that’s all I can say“said Rybakina on Saturday (04/01/2025) at the United Cup in Sydney. “I am grateful to him for everything we have achieved. Since the early days when I was number 200“said Rybakina about Vukov, who was also her coach at Wimbledon in 2022.
WTA investigations – possible violation of “Code of Conduct”
As the umbrella organization WTA told the BBC confirmed, Vukov has been temporarily suspended from the professional tour. Against the 37-year-old Croatian “an independent investigation into possible breaches of the Code of Conduct” initiated. The WTA did not provide further details, in particular what type of misconduct the coach is accused of and on whose initiative the investigation was initiated, and referred to the ongoing investigation.
Tennis coach Vukov suspended – but back on Rybakina’s team
Rybakina ended her collaboration with the coach, who had accompanied her since she was a teenager, last summer in the run-up to the US Open. However, at the beginning of the year, Rybakina announced that Vukov would rejoin her team. In what capacity remained unclear at first.
Rybakina is currently looked after by Goran Ivanisevic. “I am very happy with how working with Goran is going” said Rybakina in Sydney. But she also wanted to have Vukov on the team, the 25-year-old explained that he could also “outside the place“give a lot.
As a result of the suspension, Vukov will not receive accreditation for the active area at the upcoming Australian Open, as the WTA confirmed. Vukov will therefore not have access to the pitches and official training areas in Melbourne.
Rybakina stated that she was “not happy about the situation“. She also referred to statements made by “commentators and other coaches on the tour” about her long-time coach. This was to him “not fair“.
WTA wants to “bring clarity to the matter”
Due to the simmering allegations against Vukov in the tennis scene, the otherwise rather reserved WTA now felt compelled to make an official statement and confirmed the ongoing investigation. This is necessary in order to “to bring clarity to the matter“, said the WTA in its statement, after there were recent statements in public that “not portraying the situation correctly“But at this point in time it will be”no further details” on the case, emphasized the WTA, which in turn could do little to clarify the allegations.
Vukov denies allegations: “Never mistreated anyone”
After the investigation became known, Vukov told the US portal “The Athletic“expressed and affirmed that he had”never mistreated anyone“. Criticism of Vukov’s training style and his behavior on the court had come in the past, especially from US tennis legend Pam Shriver. According to a BBC report, Shriver had already spoken out during the Australian Open 2023 and advised Rybakina to take her should look for a trainer who “speaks to her respectfully and treats her with respect“. Rybakina had rejected the allegations at the time.
When the news came that Vukov would be joining their team again, Shriver’s response didn’t take long to arrive. This is very sad, she wrote on X. It is time for tennis to finally stand up and do something, “against blatant abuse and manipulative behavior towards players“.
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