Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has come to the defense of her former coach, Stefano Vukov, who has been provisionally suspended by the WTA amid an investigation into his behavior. Rybakina, who is currently ranked sixth in the world, expressed her support for Vukov, stating that he “never mistreated” her. The investigation stems from alleged breaches of the WTA’s Code of Conduct, although the specific details of the complaint remain unclear.
Vukov, a 37-year-old Croatian, had been a key figure in Rybakina’s team since she was a teenager, guiding her to the Wimbledon title in 2022. Earlier this week, Rybakina confirmed that Vukov was set to rejoin her coaching team, a move that has sparked controversy in light of the ongoing investigation. Despite the suspension, Rybakina stood by her former coach, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and the trust she places in him.
“I can only say, and I said it already before, that he never mistreated me, it was never anything like that,” Rybakina said after Kazakhstan’s loss to Poland in the United Cup semi-finals. She also expressed her displeasure with the public comments surrounding the situation, particularly from those within the tennis community. “I’m not really happy with the situation. I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from people who are on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I don’t think that it’s fair,” she added.
The WTA confirmed that Vukov’s suspension means he will be denied accreditation at WTA events, preventing him from entering player-only areas such as practice courts and training facilities. This suspension comes after several incidents over the years where concerns were raised about Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina, both on and off the court.
Vukov, for his part, has strongly denied any wrongdoing, telling The Athletic, “I never abused anyone.” The investigation continues, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
