The WTA has officially upheld its ban on Elena Rybakina’s longtime coach, Stefano Vukov, following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
Vukov had been provisionally suspended pending a review of his behavior under the WTA Code of Conduct. Details of the investigation, revealed by The Athletic, include a deeply personal email from Rybakina’s mother to the 37-year-old coach, pleading with him not to make her daughter cry again.
Rybakina and Vukov have worked together since 2019, with the Croatian coach guiding her to her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022. Although they split before the 2024 US Open, the world No. 7 reconnected with him later in the year, officially announcing his return on New Year’s Day via an Instagram story. However, it soon emerged that Vukov was serving a provisional suspension.
The WTA has now concluded its investigation, reaffirming the ban.
“The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded. Following this process, the suspension remains in place,” the organization stated.
According to reports, WTA CEO Portia Archer informed both Rybakina and Vukov of the findings in late January. In a letter, Archer outlined Vukov’s violations, which included “engaging in abuse of authority and abusive conduct,” “physical and verbal abuse,” and “exploiting [his] relationship” with Rybakina.
Concerns about Vukov’s influence had been raised by Rybakina’s friends and family, particularly after he allegedly refused to coach her at one event following her mother’s email.
Vukov has denied any wrongdoing. In January, he told The Athletic via text: “Definitely never abused anyone.” He has since declined to comment further.
While his ban prevents him from coaching Rybakina or obtaining WTA coaching credentials, the Kazakh star reportedly remains in frequent contact with him. She has since hired Davide Sanguinetti as her new coach—a partnership reportedly arranged by Vukov.
Sanguinetti confirmed their ongoing communication, stating, “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,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Rybakina has continued to defend Vukov, insisting he “never mistreated her” and expressing disappointment in the WTA’s handling of the case.
Competing in Doha when the WTA confirmed the decision, she responded, “I’m just disappointed with the situation and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that anymore.”
