Serena Williams’ ex-coach lauds WTA for taking ‘forceful’ action against Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov

WTA reportedly banned Croatian coach Stefano Vukov for his conduct toward 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Serena Williams’ ex-coach lauds WTA for taking ‘forceful’ action against Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov

Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Images via X)

Rennae Stubbs lauded WTA CEO Portia Archer for her intervention in the Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov controversy. Stubbs said that WTA made the right choice by being forceful because one of their priorities is to protect the players from abuse.

The WTA, after receiving complaints from Rybakina’s inner circle, launched an investigation during which, Vukov was provisionally suspended. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, WTA chose not to divulge into the details but The Athletic reported what Archer wrote in her letter to Vukov.

YouTube video

Vukov subjected the Kazakh ace to abuse and harassment and his conduct caused Rybakina to become ill. Stubbs has always been critical of his behavior toward Rybakina for which, Vukov even tried to sue her. Serena Williams‘ former coach took up the topic again during her latest podcast and discussed it with Racquet magazine founder Caitlin Thompson.

FS Video

Think Portia, the CEO of the WTA, has done a great job…She’s done a lot of, I’ve liked her writings, I’ve liked the things that she said and she’s been pretty forceful on them….They’re doing everything that they can, yeah.

Rennae Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast

Vukov is reportedly banned for a year. Rybakina had fired him last year after her friends and family convinced her to part ways him with. But according to Archer, Vukov influenced Rybakina to hire him once again.

She was working with Goran Ivanisevic, who left her team because he was reportedly blindsided by Rybakina’s decision to re-hire Vukov. Fitness trainer, Azuz Simcich, too announced on social media that he left Rybakina’s team.

Barbara Schett claims Elena Rybakina was brainwashed by Stefano Vukov

Barbara Schett revealed details about the conversation she had with Goran Ivanisevic, who confirmed to her that Elena Rybakina is in a relationship with Stefano Vukov, which Portia Archer, in her letter, called “toxic“. Schett, a former World No.7 and the 1999 US Open quarterfinalist, said Vukov subjected Rybakina to “complete brainwashing“.

Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov (Image via X)

I spoke about the subject for a long time with Goran Ivanisevic. He said the problem is that they are in a private relationship. Vukov wants to sneak in and get his place on the team back. That is obviously a disaster. He has to get out of her life after everything he has done.

Barbara Schett told Kicker

Before Rybakina, Ivanisevic worked with Novak Djokovic and they ended their collaboration last year. The Croatian joined a WTA player’s team for the first time but it didn’t end on the right note as he quit her team soon after her Australian Open exit.

Rybakina was last seen in action at the Dubai Open where she lost to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals. She will now shift her focus to the Indian Wells.