Elena Rybakina‘s coach has been suspended and will be unable to obtain an accreditation for the upcoming Australian Open.
World No. 6 Rybakina ended her five-year partnership with Stefano Vukov ahead of last year’s US Open. However, just days ago, she confirmed Vukov would be rejoining the team.
But, according to The Athletic, the WTA has confirmed that Vukov is provisionally suspended while under investigation for a breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct.
The women’s tennis tour launched the investigation last year following complaints about Vukov’s conduct. The investigation, conducted by an independent organisation, is said to be nearing its final stages and could soon be released.
Vukov has not been interviewed as part of the investigation and denies breaking the WTA’s code and, in a statement to The Athletic, said: “Definitely never abused anyone.”
Rybakina has reportedly refuted allegations about her coach to the tour and was not one of the people who launched a complaint.
While Vukov is provisionally suspended, he is unable to obtain a WTA credential and Tennis Australia will follow suit for the upcoming Australian Open, meaning he cannot get a coach’s accreditation.
This would prevent him from being allowed to enter practice courts and Rybakina’s player box. This could cause a clash as the 25-year-old recently announced Vukov would be returning to the team and he has reportedly flown to Australia.
Rybakina hired Goren Ivanisevic – Novak Djokovic‘s former coach – at the end of the 2024 season. He joined her at her first tournament of the season, the United Cup.
But the Kazakh tennis star has since shared her intentions to have Vukov return to the camp. “I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” she wrote on Wednesday.
Ivanisevic was reportedly blindsided by the announcement. It’s not known how their partnership could be affected if and when Vukov rejoins the camp.
Rybakina is said to have regularly been in contact with Vukov before her matches.
The world No. 6 is still competing at the United Cup, where she is representing Kazakhstan. Ivanisevic has been in the team’s box supporting Rybakina during her matches.
She will be back in action on Saturday as Kazakhstan take on Poland.
But things could take a turn when she arrives in Melbourne for the Australian Open, as Rybakina will be keen to get Vukov back in the team while the WTA and Tennis Australia will not grant him a credential.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk