Elena Rybakina ‘disappointed’ after former coach Stefano Vukov remains banned
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Elena Rybakina gesturing during her fourth-round defeat by eventual champion Madison Keys at the 2025 Australian Open.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DOHA – Elena Rybakina was disappointed at the WTA’s decision to uphold a ban against her former coach Stefano Vukov following an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct, she said on Feb 12.
Rybakina, who won the 2022 Wimbledon title under Vukov, ended their five-year partnership in August, days ahead of the US Open.
In January, Vukov was provisionally suspended by the governing body of women’s tennis, after which Rybakina said he had “never mistreated her”.
Vukov denies wrongdoing and told The Athletic last month that he “never abused anyone” after the media outlet first reported the WTA’s provisional ban.
“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.”
The WTA did not provide details on the length of the suspension.
Ahead of January’s Australian Open, Rybakina said she would rehire Vukov to her team, but his suspension made him ineligible to obtain a credential for WTA tournaments.
“I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that any more,” the 25-year-old world No. 7 told reporters after her last-16 win over Rebecca Sramkova at the Qatar Open on Feb 12.
“I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court, I’m thinking only about the way I need to play, so I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent.”
“Definitely, it’s not the best time, but as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can.”
Rybakina briefly worked with Novak Djokovic's former coach Goran Ivanisevic, who departed her team after a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open.
The Russian-born Kazakh added Italian former player Davide Sanguinetti to her team earlier in February.
In the quarter-finals on Feb 13, Rybakina faced off against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in a repeat of the 2024 final. And it was the Pole who prevailed again, winning 6-2, 7-5.
In an earlier match, Ekaterina Alexandrova, who knocked out world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the second round, continued her giant-killing run by ousting Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
In other news, the Australian Open on Feb 13 cited the popularity of mixed doubles at the opening Grand Slam of the year in ruling out the possibility of emulating the US Open’s move to radically overhaul the competition.
Organisers announced on Feb 11 that mixed doubles would become a standalone event in the week leading up to the Flushing Meadows main draw, with early matches decided over best-of-three sets played to four games, while the final will be a best-of-three set match to six games.
The dramatic decision was blasted by some, with Australian former doubles world No. 1 Paul McNamee saying it devalued the title.
The 2024 US Open mixed doubles winners, Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, called the changes a “profound injustice”. REUTERS
