Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov learn verdict on coach’s ban as WTA conclude investigation

Ewan West 12 Feb 2025 9:25 AM

Stefano Vukov and Elena Rybakina.

Stefano Vukov will remain suspended from coaching Elena Rybakina in an official capacity, the WTA Tour has announced.

Rybakina split with Vukov in August last year having worked with the Croatian coach since 2019.

The world No 7 hired Goran Ivanisevic at the end of the 2024 campaign, before announcing on January 1 that Vukov would be re-joining her team.

The day after Rybakina’s shock revelation, it was reported that Vukov had been suspended by the WTA Tour amid an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct.

Vukov did not receive accreditation for the Australian Open, with Tennis Australia upholding the WTA’s provisional suspension.

Ivanisevic worked with Rybakina at the Australian Open, but the 2001 Wimbledon champion — who previously coached Novak Djokovic — announced the pair’s “trial” collaboration had ended after the tournament.

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The WTA has now announced that Vukov will be banned from coaching Rybakina on the tour following the conclusion of its investigation into the Croatian’s behaviour.

“The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded,” the WTA said in a statement.

“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.”

Rybakina appointed Italian Davide Sanguinetti as her latest coach ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this month, where she reached the semi-finals.

In Abu Dhabi, Rybakina criticised the investigation into Vukov and claimed the situation had not been “handled well.”

“I don’t know much. It’s a situation I’m not happy with. It is what it is, but for now I don’t know much,” the 25-year-old told AFP.

“I think safeguarding is important but the case with what happened with us I don’t think it was handled well.

“At the end of the day, I think you need to listen to the player, that’s the most important.

“Because as I said before there are a lot of comments from people which are also in our environment but they’re making comments not knowing me, not knowing him, and it’s just making a bad look for everyone.”

The 2022 Wimbledon champion has repeatedly insisted that Vukov “has never mistreated” her.