Tennis star Elena Rybakina has spoken out in support of her former coach Stefano Vukov after he was suspended by the WTA following allegations of misconduct.
World No.6 Elena Rybakina has defended former coach Stefano Vukov after the Women’s Tennis Association ( WTA ) announced he would be suspended. Rybakina, who parted ways with Vukov in August 2024, has since linked up with Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic, but announced on January 1 that Vukov would be returning to her team this year.
Speaking for the first time since the news of Vukov’s suspension broke on Friday, Rybakina said she was “not happy” with the accusations levelled at her former coach. ‘I can only say, and I’ve said it already before, that he never mistreated me, or it was never anything like that,’ Rybakina said. ‘I’m working with Goran, happy the way we work now for a couple of weeks, and I also said that Stefano is rejoining the team because I know the person for six years – and there is a lot of things that we can do outside of the court too.’ The WTA launched its investigation last year after complaints were made about Vukov’s conduct, which figures in the sport had described as intense and harsh. ‘Of course, I’m not really happy with the situation,’ she said. ‘I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I think it’s fair, but the only thing I can say is he never mistreated me. ‘I have respect to him for everything he did from the very beginning when I was 200 ... you can name me other coaches who had the same successful players who did 200 and then win a grand slam and being in the top.’ During his flight from Dubai to Australia on Thursday. ‘Definitely never abused anyone,’ it read. Rybakina’s comments came after Kazakhstan were eliminated from the United Cup by Poland, following singles victories by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkac
TENNIS Elena Rybakina Stefano Vukov WTA Suspension Tennis Coach
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