Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has addressed the ongoing situation surrounding her former coach, Stefano Vukov, who has been provisionally suspended by the WTA amid an investigation into his conduct. While the 25-year-old player expressed her desire to have Vukov return to her team, she clarified that she has not made any formal complaints regarding his behavior.
Vukov, who coached Elena Rybakina from her teenage years and played a key role in her first Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon, has faced suspension pending an inquiry. Despite his denial of any wrongdoing, the suspension has resulted in him being denied accreditation for the upcoming Australian Open, which begins on Sunday.
“I don’t agree with a lot of things the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano,” said Rybakina, reiterating that she has never felt mistreated by her former coach. She added, “I’ve always said that he never mistreated me. That’s one thing.”
Rybakina emphasized that she does not wish to discuss the matter further, preferring to focus on her upcoming matches in Melbourne. In the meantime, she has enlisted Goran Ivanisevic as a temporary coach for the Australian Open, working with him on a trial basis until the conclusion of the tournament.
The investigation into Vukov’s behavior, particularly in regard to how he communicated with Rybakina both on and off the court, has raised concerns among some, including coach and commentator Pam Shriver. However, Rybakina remains firm in her position that no mistreatment occurred.
As the sixth seed at this year’s Australian Open, Rybakina, a runner-up in Melbourne two years ago, will begin her campaign against Australian teenager Emerson Jones. Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding her coach, Rybakina’s focus remains firmly on her performance on the court.
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