Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina insists returning coach Stefano Vukov 'never mistreated' her - after he was SUSPENDED for a potential code of conduct breach
Share:
Elena Rybakina has defended her returning coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally suspended by the Women's Tennis Association as the governing body investigates a potential breach of its code of conduct. Rybakina said this week that Vukov is rejoining her team but the WTA suspension means the Croat won't be accredited to enter player-only areas including practice courts and training areas.
![[Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA amid an investigation into a potential breach of conduct]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/23/93745369-0-image-a-28_1736033133610.jpg)
On Saturday, the 2022 Wimbledon champion told a press conference in Sydney that Vukov 'never mistreated me' in their years working together. 'Of course I'm not really happy with the situation. I'm not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people who are on the tour. It's active coaches, commentators. I don't think that it's fair,' the 25-year-old Rybakina said.
![[During the pair's first stint working together Rybakina triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/23/93745173-0-image-a-26_1736032743832.jpg)
'The only thing I can say is, he never mistreated me. I respect him for everything he did from the very beginning when I was (ranked No.) 200 all the way what we did.'. Her current coach is Goran Ivanisevic as they prepare for the Australian Open. Elena Rybkina claimed her returning coach Stefano Vukov never mistreated her during their years working together.
Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA amid an investigation into a potential breach of conduct. During the pair's first stint working together Rybakina triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022. 'I'm working with Goran. I'm happy (with) the way we (are) working now for a couple of weeks,' Rybakina said.
