WTA shockingly bans Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov as ‘toxic relationship’ caused her to become ill
WTA confirmed that there was evidence that Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov are involved in a romantic relationship.
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Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Image via WTA/X)
Elena Rybakina has made a lot of headlines since the start of the 2025 season, not due to her performance but because of coach Stefano Vukov. The WTA has now banned the Croatian coach, and if reports are to be believed, then he will remain suspended for one year.
After WTA started their investigation, Rybakina kept defending him in press conferences and was not a fan of their interference. Now WTA, upon conclusion of the investigation, stated that Vukov will remain suspended for the time being; for how long they didn’t reveal. The WTA also chose not to divulge the details of the investigation.
To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.
The WTA stated (via BBC Sport)
A report by The Athletic, however, stated that Portia Archer, the chief executive of the WTA Tour wrote a three-page letter to Vukov stating that he violated the Code of Conduct by calling Rybakina “stupid” and that she would “still be in Russia picking potatoes.” The letter also stated that the investigator found out that Vukov made Rybakina cry and pushed her beyond physical limits, which ultimately made her ill.
Archer wrote, “It’s clear to me you have a toxic relationship” in the letter. She also stated that there was evidence that Rybakina and Vukov are in a romantic relationship and that the latter had stayed in her hotel in Melbourne, and breached the ‘no contact’ directive amid provisional suspension.
Stefano Vukov allegedly harassed Elena Rybakina during US Open
As per The Athletic’s report, Portia Archer said Stefano Vukov harassed Elena Rybakina during the US Open. Rybakina ended her collaboration with him before the US Open, but Vukov kept sending her multiple texts.
After firing Vukov last year, Rybakina re-hired him at the start of the year, causing quite a stir in the tennis world, for it was strange that they got together just a few months after parting ways. Amid suspension rumors, the WTA finally confirmed that an investigation was underway because Vukov was accused of violating WTA Code of Conduct. Vukov had denied abusing Rybakina.
Rybakina last year had hired Goran Ivanisevic, who reportedly was blindsided by her announcing that Vukov would return. Reports claimed that Novak Djokovic‘s former coach wanted to quit her team even before the Australian Open, but Rybakina pleaded with him to stay because she didn’t want to play the first Major of the season without a coach.
Right after Rybakina’s exit, Ivanisevic left her team as he reportedly found coaching her in the midst of all the controversy quite challenging. Rybakina, who will be facing Rebecca Sramkova in the fourth round of the ongoing Qatar Open, is working with coach Davide Sanguinetti, who has confirmed that he has no problem with having Vukov in the team.
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