World number six Elena Rybakina’s former coach, Stefano Vukov, has been provisionally suspended by the WTA while an investigation into his behavior towards the player continues to unfold. This decision comes in the wake of serious allegations, as the WTA has confirmed to BBC Sport that the 37-year-old Croat is currently banned due to an alleged breach of the WTA’s Code of Conduct.
Earlier this week, Kazakhstan’s Rybakina had announced that Vukov, who played a crucial role in her triumph at Wimbledon in 2022, was rejoining her coaching team. This announcement garnered considerable attention, especially in light of concerns surrounding Vukov’s past conduct. It remains unclear whether the complaint that initiated the investigation was raised by Rybakina herself or by another individual, adding an element of uncertainty to the situation.
Vukov has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and stated, “I never abused anyone.” The WTA, while typically not commenting on ongoing investigations, felt compelled to clarify the matter, indicating that recent public statements may have misrepresented the situation. They further noted that they would not provide additional details at this stage, underlining the sensitivity of the ongoing inquiry.
As a result of the provisional suspension, Vukov will not receive accreditation for WTA events. This restriction prevents him from accessing player-only areas, which include practice courts, training facilities, and dining areas designated for players. This significant limitation highlights the seriousness of the allegations laid against him.
Concerns regarding Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina have been raised frequently over the past several seasons. Observers have scrutinized the manner in which he interacts with her both on and off the court during tournaments. However, the specific aspects of the WTA’s Code of Conduct that he is alleged to have violated have not yet been disclosed, leaving much to speculation.
Pam Shriver, a former Grand Slam doubles champion and current coach of Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic, has been particularly vocal in criticizing Vukov’s behavior. Shriver notably urged Rybakina during her journey to the 2023 Australian Open final to rethink her coaching arrangements, emphasizing the importance of having a coach who speaks and treats her with respect consistently.
In response to Shriver’s criticism, Rybakina refuted the suggestions that Vukov had crossed any acceptable boundaries, labeling these claims as “disturbing” and “fake news.” This public defense of her coach showcases Rybakina’s loyalty and the complicated dynamics at play within her coaching team.
As Rybakina’s announcement regarding Vukov’s return reverberated through the tennis community, Shriver utilized social media to call upon the entire sport to confront instances of abuse and manipulation that may be manifesting within player-coach relationships.
Stefano Vukov began coaching Rybakina when she was just a teenager and has played a pivotal role in guiding her rise to become one of the leading figures on the WTA Tour. Their professional relationship, however, faced challenges and ultimately ended before last year’s US Open, after which Rybakina appointed Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion and former coach of Novak Djokovic, to her team.
The implications of Rybakina’s decision to re-employ Vukov for her current collaboration with Ivanisevic are not entirely clear. Ivanisevic’s representatives have confirmed that his coaching arrangement with Rybakina is on a trial basis, with a review scheduled at the conclusion of the Australian Open. This adds yet another layer to the evolving narrative surrounding Rybakina, her coaches, and the ongoing investigation into Vukov’s conduct.
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