LONDON — The WTA Tour confirmed on Tuesday that the suspension of Elena Rybakina’s former coach, Stefano Vukov, will “remain in effect” following the conclusion of its investigation into a potential violation of the organization’s code of conduct.
While the WTA did not disclose the duration of Vukov’s suspension, which had originally been provisional, the Croatian coach has consistently denied any allegations of misconduct.
Elena Rybakina, the reigning champion of Wimbledon, expressed her support for Vukov during last month’s Australian Open, stating that he “never mistreated me” throughout their collaboration, and she voiced her disagreement with the provisional suspension.
In an official statement, the WTA announced, “The independent investigation concerning a possible breach of the WTA code of conduct by Stefano Vukov has been finalized. Following this process, the suspension will continue. To uphold the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation, the WTA will refrain from disclosing additional details. Our commitment is to ensure all cases are handled with fairness and adherence to the WTA standards.”
Rybakina’s coaching dynamics have recently faced complexities, as she revealed her split from Vukov just ahead of last year’s U.S. Open. As the new season approached, she announced that 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic would be taking over as her coach.
However, before the Australian Open, Rybakina indicated that Vukov would rejoin her coaching team. The WTA confirmed at that time that Vukov’s provisional suspension meant he could not access player-only areas at tournaments, including practice courts.
After Rybakina’s journey ended in the fourth round at Melbourne Park, Ivanisevic announced that he would no longer coach her.
