“Victims don’t…,” Coco Gauff makes feelings known on WTA’s shock one-year ban on Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov
Coco Gauff backed WTA for suspending Elena Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov for abusing and harassing the Kazakh ace.
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Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov, Coco Gauff (Images via X/ WTA)
Coco Gauff has voiced support for WTA’s decision to ban Stefano Vukov for one year. The Croatian coach, who re-joined Elena Rybakina‘s team, has breached the WTA Code of Conduct.
Rybakina always backed Vukov, denying the allegations of abuse. After the conclusion of the investigation, however, WTA chief Portia Archer reportedly detailed their ‘toxic relationship’ in a letter to Vukov in which she stated that he subjected Rybakina to abuse and harassment.
Gauff, who is gearing up for the Dubai Tennis Championships, understands that Rybakina was not a fan of WTA’s interference. The American however backed WTA for stepping in to protect their players.
From my understanding, I know she doesn’t like the decision. I know WTA also has the right to protect her. Overall, I think it’s nice that the WTA is making sure that they’re out there to protect players.
Coco Gauff said at the press conference
Gauff further pointed out that former players too have come out to reveal that they were subject to mistreatment.
I definitely think that…that’s important in our sport because a lot of times if you look, sometimes victims don’t even know they are a victim. In this sport, it’s happened so many times. A lot of times you see former players speaking out years after their career ended how they were treated.
Coco Gauff added
Pam Shriver, the 21-time Grand Slam doubles champion, had disclosed that she had an “inappropriate and damaging relationship” with her former coach Don Candy when she was a teenager. Gauff may have been referring to this as an example.
According to the Athletic, sources say Stefano Vukov subjected Elena Rybakina to mental abuse.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 12, 2025
The alleged mental abuse pushed her to the brink and caused her to become ill.
They also said he harassed her and refused to leave her alone after she ended their coaching… pic.twitter.com/tqpiXoyjUX
Coco Gauff is Sportico’s highest-paid female athlete
Coco Gauff clinched the top spot in Sportico‘s highest-paid female athlete for the second time in a row. She has pocketed over $30.3 million over the last 12 months despite not winning a Grand Slam tournament.
$9.4 million came from the prize money she earned on the tour. The 20-year-old won just three titles last year: ASB Classic, China Open, and her first WTA Finals trophy. WTA Finals last year was held in Riyadh and it offered the winner $15,250,000.
The rest of the $25 million came from her lucrative endorsement deals with brands as she endorses brands such as New Balance, L’Oreal, Head, Barilla, etc. No women, however, were among the top 100 highest-paid athletes in Sportico’s list.
This year however, Gauff is searching for her first WTA Title, after failing to emerge as winner at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open. She suffered a straight-set defeat to Paula Badosa in the quarterfinal at the Melbourne Slam and fell to Marta Kostyuk in the first round of the Qatar Open. Gauff, who is in the same half of the draw as World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai, will be kick-starting her campaign on February 18.
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Gouri Das
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