Elena Rybakina's returning coach provisionally SUSPENDED just days before the 2022 Wimbledon champion starts her Australian Open campaign
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Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina's returning coach Stefano Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA Tour pending investigation for a Code of Conduct breach, it was reported on Friday. Vukov was Rybakina's coach for five years before the two parted ways before the US Open in August of last year.
![[Elena Rybakina announced on Wednesday that Vukov would return to her camp after they parted ways back in August]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/17/93717353-14247887-image-a-49_1735923968633.jpg)
However, in a move that shocked the tennis world, the 25-year-old announced on Wednesday that the Croatian player-turned-coach would be returning to her team ahead of the Australian Open this month. In a report from The Athletic, it was confirmed that Vukov is barred from obtaining a WTA credential, prohibiting him from attaining accreditation for the Grand Slam in Melbourne.
![[Rybakina is due to take part in the Australian Open this month but Vukov is barred from obtaining a WTA credential prohibiting him from attaining accreditation for the tournament]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/17/93717343-14247887-image-a-44_1735923838616.jpg)
The governing body for women's professional tennis have since commented on the coach's temporary suspension. In a statement, they wrote: 'The WTA can confirm that Stefano Vukov is currently under a provisional suspension pending an independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct.
![[Rybakina's only Grand Slam success came back in 2022 when she won the Wimbledon title]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/17/93717165-14247887-image-a-47_1735923866585.jpg)
Coach Stefano Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA pending investigation. Elena Rybakina announced on Wednesday that Vukov would return to her camp after they parted ways back in August. Rybakina is due to take part in the Australian Open this month but Vukov is barred from obtaining a WTA credential prohibiting him from attaining accreditation for the tournament.
![[The Kazakhstani player reached the Australian Open final in 2023 but lost to Aryna Sabalenka (left)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/17/93717387-14247887-image-a-48_1735923902735.jpg)
'As part of the provisional suspension, Mr Vukov is not eligible to obtain a WTA credential at this time. 'While the WTA does not typically comment on active investigations, we believe it is necessary to clarify this matter due to recent public statements that misrepresent the situation. We will not provide further details at this point in time.'.
