“Shouldn’t work with any girl,” Rennae Stubbs demands lifetime coaching ban on Stefano Vukov after ‘really toxic’ relationship with Elena Rybakina
Rennae Stubbs censured Stefano Vukov after a shocking report revealed what he did to World No.7 Elena Rybakina last year.
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Stefano Vukov, Rennae Stubbs, Elena Rybakina (Images via X)
Elena Rybakina‘s coach Stefano Vukov reportedly banned for one year for breaching the WTA Code of Conduct. After WTA’s verdict, Serena Williams‘ former coach Rennae Stubbs demanded a lifetime coaching ban on the Croatian coach.
The WTA, after the conclusion of the investigation, did not reveal any details. Then The Athletic reported that Vukov subjected Rybakina to mental abuse and harassed her after she parted ways with him last year.
As per the report, WTA CEO Portia Archer, in a letter to Vukov, also stated that because of him Rybakina had become ill. Stubbs claimed that she was around that ‘toxic environment’; and even if Rybakina had never accepted that she was abused or mistreated, Stubbs made her feelings on why she is not of the same opinion as the Kazakh ace.
Yes, it is her decision but you know there are a lot of cohesive controlled relationships that get really toxic and really bad and do I think that she is in an environment that is not healthy for her? Absolutely! There’s no question about it.
Rennae Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast
Stubbs then claimed Rybakina’s long-time fitness trainer Azuz Simcich and Goran Ivanisevic left her team because they didn’t want to be a part of this environment. Ivanisevic, after his split with Novak Djokovic, started his first coaching stint with a WTA player but he was reportedly blindsided by Rybakina’s decision to re-hire Vukov and quit her team after her Australian Open exit.
Honestly, he should be banned forever! On the WTA tour! He should not be allowed to be able to come on the tour and work with any girl because that’s his tendency.
Rennae Stubbs added
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
Elena Rybakina disappointed after ban on Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina suffered a straight-set defeat to Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open. The news of Stefano Vukov‘s ban came out before that match and Rybakina once again expressed her disappointment at the WTA for their decision.
I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that.
Elena Rybakina said at the press conference after win over Rebecca Sramkova
Rybakina is now working with coach Davide Sanguinetti. Sanguinetti had previously stated that he would have no problem working with Vukov, unlike Goran Ivanisevic.
After the Qatar Open exit, Rybakina will shift her focus to the second WTA 1000 event of the year, the Dubai Open. The 2022 Wimbledon champion reached the quarterfinals in last year’s event in Dubai but gave a walkover to Jasmine Paolini.
Rybakina is still searching for her first title of the season. She started this year at the United Cup, helping her team reach the semifinals but they lost to Poland. Rybakina then suffered a fourth-round defeat to eventual champion Madison Keys at the Australian Open and a semifinal upset to Belinda Bencic at the Abu Dhabi Open before her loss to Swiatek.
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Gouri Das
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