Elena Rybakina’s coach has been banned by the WTA, with reports into his conduct described as ‘really disturbing’.
Stefano Vukov has been banned for one year by the Women’s Tennis Association due to breaking the code of conduct regarding his behaviour towards players.
GettyRybakina’s coach, Vukov, has been banned by the WTA for breaching their code of conduct[/caption]
After being provisionally suspended, the WTA confirmed that the ban had been upheld, much to the disappointment of the 2022 Wimbledon champion.
Vukov has denied breaching the WTA’s code, and Rybakina, the world No.6 has repeatedly stated that Vukov’s conduct towards her has never been abusive.
However, reports from The Athletic claim that his conduct towards other tennis stars was ‘intense’ and ‘harsh’.
It’s been rumoured that Rybakina and Vukov are in a relationship with the Kazakhstani star responding to the ban by saying: “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went.
“I’m not going to comment much 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.
“It’s not the best time, but I want to perform as best as I can.”
But responding to the situation, tennis journalist John Wertheim described the saga as ‘a really messy business’.
Speaking on Served with Andy Roddick, he said: “There was this provisional suspension, now it’s been converted into what I’ve been told is a year suspension.
“It’s really messy business, especially because, as you referenced, there does seem to be a personal relationship that had long been rumoured.
“She’s a grown woman, she has agency, she has choice, she can hire whoever she wants, she can sleep with whoever she wants.
“But read that report. I would urge people to read the reporting of Matt Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare. It’s really disturbing.”
Wertheim added: “This is not just, ‘Hey, the coach got in her face, and every coach is different.’ This really crossed the line.
“I just think it’s a little bit problematic that the player herself does not seem to be on board with this – quite the contrary.”
Vukov worked with Rybakina for for five years and was in her corner when she won Wimbledon in 2022.
On that occasion she beat Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur over three sets to claim the only grand slam win of her career so far.
She did, however, reach the final of the Australian Open the following year but was beaten by Aryna Sabalenka.
But after many years together the partnership ended just days before the 2025 Australian Open last month.
Rybakina worked briefly with Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic on a trial basis, but he left following her exit down under.
In the Abu Dhabi Open, the 25-year-old made it to the semi-finals before being beaten by Belinda Bencic.
Most recently, she made it to the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open where she was eliminated by Iga Swiatek.
She’ll now be hoping to be back in contention for Grand Slam glory at Roland Garros in May, before returning to the All-England Club for Wimbledon on June 30.
