- Elena Rybakina defended her returning coach amid misconduct allegations
- Stefano Vukov was provisionally suspended by the Women's Tennis Association
Elena Rybakina has defended her coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally suspended by the Women's Tennis Association while the governing body investigates a possible breach of its code of conduct.
Rybakina said this week that Vukov will rejoin her team, but the WTA suspension means the Croatian will not be accredited to enter player-only areas, including practice courts and training areas.
On Saturday, the 2022 Wimbledon champion told a news conference in Sydney that Vukov “never mistreated me” in the years they worked together.
'Of course I'm not very happy with the situation. I'm not happy with the comments I see, especially from people who are on the tour. They are active coaches, commentators. I don't think it's fair,” said Rybakina, 25.
'The only thing I can say is that he never mistreated me. “I respect him for everything he did from the beginning when I was ranked No. 200 (ranked No. 200) to the end of everything we did.”
Their current coach is Goran Ivanisevic as they prepare for the Australian Open.
Elena Rybkina claimed that her coach Stefano Vukov never mistreated her during the years they worked together.
Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA amid an investigation into a possible conduct violation
During the couple's first period of working together, Rybakina triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022.
'I'm working with Goran. “I'm happy with the way we've been working for a couple of weeks now,” Rybakina said.
He said he will add Vukov “because I've known him for six years and there are a lot of things we can do off the court as well.”
'Of course I'm not very happy with the situation. I'm not happy with the comments I see, especially from people who are on the tour. They are active coaches, commentators. I don't think it's fair.
Vukov told The Athletic that he “never abused anyone.”
In a statement, the WTA confirmed that Vukov “is currently under provisional suspension pending an independent investigation into a possible violation of the WTA code of conduct.”
'As part of the provisional suspension, Mr. Vukov is not eligible to obtain a WTA credential at this time.
'While the WTA does not normally comment on active investigations, we believe it is necessary to clarify this matter due to recent public statements that misrepresent the situation.
“We will not be providing further details at this time.”
Vukov's sometimes aggressive on-court communication with Rybakina has been criticized in the past, with former Wimbledon doubles champion and coach Pam Shriver being especially outspoken. Rybakina has always defended him.
The investigation is reaching its final stages and the verdict is likely to be announced before the start of the Australian Open. Rybakina and the Australian Open have been contacted for comment.