“Why Is the Bad Guy Here?”- Elena Rybakina’s Reunion With Banned Coach Steve Vukov Sparks Fierce Reactions From Fans

Elena Rybakina’s decision to reunite with her controversial former coach Stefano Vukov, despite his one-year WTA suspension for abusive behavior, has ignited fierce backlash from fans and tennis insiders. The 25-year-old Kazakhstani star, fresh off her Strasbourg title win on May 24, 2025, was spotted training with Vukov at a private club in the UAE in March, prompting fans to question, “Why is the bad guy here?” (EssentiallySports, April 5, 2025). This reunion, coupled with Rybakina’s public defense of Vukov—thanking him during her Strasbourg victory speech (The Athletic, May 24, 2025)—has fueled concerns about her well-being, the WTA’s authority, and the sport’s handling of abuse allegations. Below is an analysis of the controversy, fan reactions, and its implications for Rybakina’s 2025 French Open campaign, which began May 25, 2025.

Background of the Controversy

Rybakina and Vukov worked together from 2019 to August 2024, a period that saw her rise from outside the top 100 to world No. 3 and win the 2022 Wimbledon title (Sportskeeda, January 3, 2025). However, Vukov’s intense coaching style—marked by yelling, animated outbursts, and derogatory comments—drew scrutiny. Reports of him calling Rybakina “stupid” and saying she’d “still be in Russia picking potatoes” without him, alongside allegations of mental abuse and harassment, led to a WTA investigation (The Athletic, February 11, 2025). The WTA issued a provisional suspension in January 2025, upheld as a one-year ban in February for breaching the Code of Conduct, citing “abusive conduct” that compromised Rybakina’s psychological and physical well-being (The Athletic, May 24, 2025).

Despite the ban, Rybakina announced Vukov’s return to her team on January 1, 2025, via Instagram, stating, “I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season” (TheTennisLetter, January 1, 2025). The WTA clarified that Vukov is barred from coaching at tournaments, practice courts, or player hotels, but private training sessions, like the one in the UAE, are permissible (Women’s Tennis Blog, March 26, 2025). Rybakina’s decision to rehire Vukov, even as she appointed Goran Ivanišević and later Davide Sanguinetti as official coaches, shocked the tennis community, especially after Ivanišević’s abrupt exit, which he called a “sad and strange story” (Women’s Tennis Blog).

Fan Reactions and Public Outcry

The sighting of Vukov training Rybakina, first shared by a UAE junior player on Instagram and amplified on Reddit and X (Sportskeeda, March 25, 2025), sparked intense reactions. Fans expressed a mix of concern, frustration, and disbelief, with sentiments like:

• Concern for Rybakina’s Well-Being: “Coco’s words are so true. ‘At times, victims don’t know they are victims.’ It’s sad she’s isolated,” wrote one fan, referencing Coco Gauff’s comments on abuse (Sportskeeda, February 19, 2025). Another posted, “She’s trapped in a box he has made, forcing her to have him as the only,” highlighting fears of manipulation (Sportskeeda, February 12, 2025).
• Anger at Vukov’s Presence: “Why is the bad guy here & her sister’s missing?” asked a fan, noting the absence of Rybakina’s family, who reportedly opposed Vukov (EssentiallySports). “Vukov is toxic!” another exclaimed, reflecting widespread distrust (EssentiallySports).
• Criticism of Rybakina’s Choices: Some fans lost sympathy, with one stating, “I’m done supporting Rybakina after failing to move on from Vukov” (Yardbarker, March 29, 2025). Others called her decision “baffling,” given the chance to work with Ivanišević (Sportskeeda, February 17, 2025).
• Skepticism of WTA’s Enforcement: Fans questioned how Vukov could remain involved, with one asking, “Elena knew he was suspended and invited him back anyway?” (Sportskeeda, January 3, 2025). Another wrote, “WTA’s ban means nothing if she’s training with him” (X, @TennisForum, March 26, 2025).

Tennis insiders like Pam Shriver fueled the debate, tweeting, “It’s time for our sport to stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulations,” prompting backlash from some fans who argued Rybakina’s autonomy should be respected (Sportskeeda, January 2, 2025). Martina Navratilova called the reunion “worrying,” citing an “unhealthy-looking relationship” (Sportskeeda, January 25, 2025), while Barbara Schett, after speaking with Ivanišević, supported the WTA’s ban, noting Vukov’s “psychological and physical” impact (TheTennisLetter, February 25, 2025).

Rybakina’s Defense and Family Dynamics

Rybakina has consistently defended Vukov, stating at the 2025 United Cup, “He never mistreated me,” and expressing frustration with the WTA’s process, saying, “I’m not happy with the comments from people on the tour” (TheTennisLetter, January 4, 2025). After her Strasbourg win, she thanked Vukov alongside her team, signaling her loyalty (The Athletic). She also criticized colleagues for not supporting her, lamenting, “I’ve had no support from WTA players” (Sportskeeda, February 19, 2025).

This stance has raised questions about her family’s absence, particularly her sister Anna, a frequent presence in the past (EssentiallySports). Reports suggest her parents, Ekaterina and Andrei, opposed Vukov, with Ekaterina once emailing him to stop making Rybakina cry (Daily Mail, February 24, 2025). Fans noted, “Her family’s nowhere near her now,” speculating that Vukov’s influence has isolated her (EssentiallySports). Allegations of a romantic relationship, cited in a WTA letter by CEO Portia Archer, further complicate the narrative, though Rybakina and Vukov deny wrongdoing (The Athletic, February 11, 2025).

Implications for the 2025 French Open

Rybakina’s Strasbourg triumph, her first title in over a year, suggests she’s in form for Roland Garros, where she faces Julia Riera in the first round (Sportskeeda). Her 14-4 clay record in 2025, including titles in Rome (2023) and Stuttgart (2024), makes her a dark horse, seeded No. 8 (qazinform.com). However, the Vukov controversy casts a shadow:

• Mental and Emotional Toll: Analysts worry that off-court drama could disrupt her focus, with Navratilova noting it’s “hard to flow when there’s this much tension” (Sportskeeda, January 25, 2025). Her 2024 season, marked by eight withdrawals, was linked to “psychosomatic stress” from Vukov’s pressure (lobandsmash.com, September 25, 2024).
• Team Stability: With Sanguinetti as her WTA-approved coach, appointed by Vukov (who reportedly acts as her agent), questions linger about coaching dynamics (Daily Mail, February 24, 2025). Sanguinetti’s comment, “Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there,” suggests Vukov’s ongoing influence (Daily Mail, February 13, 2025).
• Public Perception: Fan backlash, with some vowing to stop supporting her, could affect her morale, especially if crowds or media press the issue (Yardbarker). X posts like @rybakistani’s “fucking hell” reflect the emotional weight of the scandal (X, February 18, 2025).

Broader Context: Tennis and Abuse Allegations

The controversy highlights tennis’ struggle to address abusive coaching dynamics. Gauff’s remark, “Victims don’t always know they’re victims,” resonated with fans who see Rybakina as manipulated (Sportskeeda, February 19, 2025). The WTA’s firm stance, one of the stiffest penalties for a coach, aims to ensure a “safe environment,” per Archer (The Athletic). Yet, Rybakina’s defiance and Vukov’s loophole—training at private facilities—expose enforcement challenges, especially at non-WTA events like Wimbledon, where ITF rules apply (Daily Mail, February 24, 2025).

Comparisons to other cases, like Jannik Sinner’s doping ban (ending in May 2025, allowing practice), underscore inconsistencies in bans (Yardbarker). Fans on X, like @kostekcanu, argued, “There’s no punishment strong enough,” while others, like @WTAFanatic, urged empathy, saying, “She’s a victim, not the villain” (X, February 18, 2025). The debate echoes past concerns about Vukov’s behavior, such as his 2024 Australian Open outbursts, which Rybakina defended (Sportskeeda, January 17, 2024).

Conclusion

Elena Rybakina’s reunion with Stefano Vukov, despite his WTA ban for abusive conduct, has sparked fierce fan reactions, ranging from concern for her mental health to frustration with her loyalty to a “toxic” figure. Her Strasbourg win and gratitude toward Vukov show her commitment to him, but the controversy risks overshadowing her French Open campaign. The absence of her family, the WTA’s limited jurisdiction, and Rybakina’s isolation from peers amplify worries, as voiced by Shriver, Navratilova, and fans on X. While her on-court resilience—evident in a 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1 Strasbourg final—suggests she can compete at Roland Garros, the off-court drama may hinder her pursuit of a second Grand Slam. The saga underscores tennis’ ongoing challenge to protect players from harmful coaching dynamics, leaving fans asking, “Why is the bad guy still here?”