WTA tour confirms provisional suspension of Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina's former coach

According to a report from The Athletic, Vukov is still under investigation for a potential breach of the tour's code of conduct, precluding him from acting as an official coach to Rybakina in Australian Open.

ByDavid Kane

Published Jan 03, 2025

Advertising

In a report by *The Athletic*, it was confirmed that tennis coach Stefano Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA tour due to a potential breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct.

Vukov served as the coach of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina from 2019 until just before the 2024 US Open, when Rybakina announced the two had parted ways.

Rybakina, who ended the 2024 season by hiring new coach Goran Ivanisevic, had revealed Vukov would be back on her team to support her during the upcoming Australian Open. But the provisional suspension precludes Vukov from receiving a WTA credential, thereby barring him from practice courts and the player’s box during matches.

Rybakina confirmed a split from Vukov during the 2024 US Open, but seemingly reversed her decision this week with her announcement that he would be part of her team during the 2025 Australian Open.

Advertising

In a statement to *The Athletic*, Vukov denied breaching the WTA’s Code of Conduct, and Rybakina has also denied any untoward behavior despite criticism from former WTA players and current coaches like Pam Shriver.

“I hope she finds a coach who speaks and treats her with respect at ALL times and does not ever accept anything less,” Shriver posted on X back in 2023.

The Athletic further reported that the WTA is in its final stages of investigating Vukov and are yet to interview him directly, while Rybakina has attempted to refute the allegations—the specifics of which remain unknown—that have been made against him. Though he has not been coaching her in person, he has been reportedly been in contact with Rybakina to speak with her about her matches.

Rybakina is yet to respond to this story.