Women’s tennis’ governing body has indefinitely banned 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina’s former coach after accusing him of ‘mental abuse’ towards her.
Stefano Vukov was provisionally suspended on January 31 after allegedly breaching the Women’s Tennnis Association’s code of conduct.
An independent investigation followed and the WTA has now confirmed the ban, despite Vukov pleading his innocence and Rybakina denying any mistreatment.
Vukov, 37, was reportedly accused of ‘mentally abusing’ Rybakina, making her cry, and harrassing her after being sacked last year.
Those accusations came in a three-page sent to him by WTA Tour chief executive Portia Archer, as reported by The Athletic.
‘It’s clear to me you have a toxic relationship,’ Archer is said to have written. The letter also stated there is increasing evidence of a romantic relationship after they stayed in the same hotel room in Melbourne.
The WTA has confirmed its decision to ban Elena Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov
Vukov is reportedly accused of abusive behaviour in a ‘toxic relationship in a stinging letter
Both denied any wrongdoing and were said to be in a romantic relationship (pictured after Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon final win)
In addition, the letter alleges that Vukov branded the world No 7 ‘stupid’ and said that she would ‘still be in Russia picking potatoes’ without him.
Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022 under the Croatian’s tutelage and the pair spent five years as a team until he was let go just days before the US Open in september 2024.
Before he joined her camp, she had been ranked outside the top 100.
At the start of January, Rybakina announced that Vukov would be returning to her coaching set-up, but now his ban has been confirmed.
‘The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded,’ a statement read.
‘Following this process, the suspension remains in place. 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.’
However, Rybakina has gone public with her opposition to the punishment against her former coach.
Rybakina, 25, employed Vukov, 37, as her coach for five years, rising from outside the top 100 to being Wimbledon champion
The Russian-born Kazakhstani star has continually opposed the WTA’s action against Vukov
The Croatian coach denied any abuse after a WTA letter reportedly accused him of doing so
Rybakina pictured with Novak Djokovic at the 2022 Wimbledon Champions Dinner
After beating Rebecca Sramkova at the Qatar Open on Wednesday, she said: ‘I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that any more.
‘I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I’m thinking only about the way I need to play, so I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent.
‘Definitely, it’s not the best time, but as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can.’
She also voiced her opposition at the Australian Open in January, saying: ‘I don’t agree with a lot of things what WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano.
‘As I said before, I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said that he never mistreated me.’
Vukov has denied any abuse.
Davide Sanguinetti, Rybakina’s current coach, told La Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there. Stefano and I talk a lot, we are on the same wavelength. It’s not a problem to have two coaches, it’s almost a trend now.’
