Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov saga: The shocking details of coach’s behaviour leading to ban
The WTA Tour has banned Stefano Vukov from coaching Elena Rybakina at tournaments, and some shocking details from the investigation into the Croatian’s behaviour have been revealed.
Rybakina and Vukov worked together for over five years until they parted ways in August last year.
However, despite hiring Goran Ivanisevic at the end of the 2024 season, Rybakina divulged on January 1 that Vukov would be returning to her team this year.
The day after Rybakina’s surprise announcement, it emerged that Vukov had been provisionally suspended by the WTA Tour pending an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct.
The WTA has now confirmed that Vukov will remain barred from coaching the 2022 Wimbledon champion in an official capacity.
In a statement, the WTA said: “The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded.
“Following this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.”
The Athletic, who spoke to sources briefed on the WTA investigation, has reported that the length of the ban is one year and also shed light on the reasons for the decision.
Portia Archer, the chief executive of the WTA Tour, reportedly informed Rybakina and Vukov of the verdict on January 31 in a three-page summary.
Archer stated that Vukov violated the tour’s code of conduct by calling Rybakina “stupid” and telling her that without him she would “still be in Russia picking potatoes.”
Elena Rybakina News
Andy Roddick lambasts Elena Rybakina’s ‘selfish, circus show’ coach Stefano Vukov after ban
Elena Rybakina ‘disappointed’ as she breaks silence on WTA confirming Stefano Vukov ban
The chief executive revealed investigators had concluded Vukov “had made Rybakina cry, subjected the 25-year-old to mental abuse and pushed her beyond her physical limits, which caused her to become ill.”
Archer wrote that Vukov had “harassed” Rybakina by refusing to leave her alone during the 2024 US Open in the weeks after their split. Vukov also broke the “no contact” directive that was part of the WTA’s provisional suspension of him.
She added that Vukov’s behaviour was a “contradiction” to the “safe environment” needed for everyone on the WTA Tour and said: “It’s clear to me you have a toxic relationship.”
Finally, Archer affirmed that there is “increasing evidence that Vukov and Rybakina are involved in a romantic relationship and that he stayed in her hotel room in Melbourne” while adding “that does not change the facts of the case.”
Rybakina has repeatedly insisted that Vukov “has never mistreated” her since the news of the investigation broke last month.
The world No 7 appointed Italian Davide Sanguinetti as her latest coach ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this month, where she reached the semi-finals.
The Russian-born Kazakh is currently in action at the WTA 1000 event in Doha, where she is playing Rebecca Sramkova in the last 16.
READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu’s mentality questioned amid losing streak by Serena Williams’ ex-coach
