Elena Rybakina doubles down in defence of coach under investigation
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has publicly defended her former coach, Stefano Vukov, following his provisional suspension by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) amid an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct. Rybakina, who had parted ways with Vukov in August 2024, recently announced his return to her coaching team, a decision that has attracted scrutiny within the tennis community.
The WTA’s provisional suspension prevents Vukov from obtaining credentials for its tournaments, effectively barring him from accessing player-only areas, including practice courts and training facilities. While the specific allegations against Vukov have not been publicly disclosed, his coaching demeanor has previously faced criticism. Notably, during Rybakina’s run to the 2023 Australian Open final, former Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver expressed concerns over Vukov’s courtside behavior, suggesting that Rybakina should seek a coach who “speaks and treats her with respect at all times.”
In response to the suspension, Rybakina stated, “I can only say, and I said it already before, that he never mistreated me, it was never anything like that.” She emphasized her longstanding professional relationship with Vukov, noting, “Stefano is re-joining the team because I know the person for six years, and there’s a lot of things we can do outside of the court too.”
Vukov has denied any wrongdoing, asserting, “I never abused anyone.” The WTA, while refraining from commenting on active investigations, acknowledged the necessity to address recent public statements that may misrepresent the situation. The organization stated, “We will not provide further details at this point in time.”
Rybakina’s decision to reintegrate Vukov into her coaching team comes as she prepares for the upcoming Australian Open. She has also been working with Goran Ivanisevic, former coach of Novak Djokovic, who joined her team in November 2024. Rybakina expressed satisfaction with the current coaching arrangement, stating, “I’m happy the way we work now for the couple of weeks.”
The situation has elicited varied reactions within the tennis community. Pam Shriver, responding to the news of Vukov’s reinstatement, remarked, “It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulations of players.” Rybakina, however, has expressed frustration over such comments, particularly from individuals within the tour, stating, “I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people who are on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I don’t think that … .”
As the WTA’s investigation continues, the implications for Rybakina’s coaching dynamics remain uncertain. The tennis community awaits further developments, particularly concerning Vukov’s potential involvement in upcoming tournaments, including the Australian Open.
