WTA prohibits Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina’s former coach, for one year after investigative code examination

The WTA Tour has banned Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina’s former coach, from coaching and from getting credentials to professional tennis events.

The organization did not specify the length of the suspension or how Vukov violated its rules, but two sources briefed on the WTA study, which, as all sources in this story, spoke of the condition of anonymity to protect the relationship in tennis said it is a one year ban.

In a statement, WTA said: “WTA confirms that the independent investigation of a potential breach of the WTA Code of behavior from Stefano Vukov has ended.

“After this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain obliged to ensure that all cases are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA behavior code. “

Vukov was not immediately available for comment. Rybakina said Vukov “never pre -treated” her at a news conference at the United Cup in Sydney 4 January, adding that she was “not happy” with the situation.

The organization did not release a report on its investigation that had investigated complaints that Vukov had been verbally violent to Rybakina; Vukov and Rybakina did not reveal its conclusions either.

Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA Tour, informed them of the decision on January 31. Archer issued Vukov a three -sided summary in which she said that Vukov has violated the tour code of the tour by calling Rybakina “stupid” and telling her that without him she would “still be in Russia and pick potatoes,” according to a source informed of the investigation , who has reviewed the letter and is in contact with Rybakina’s camp.

Archer also said in the letter that investigators had concluded that Vukov had caused Rybakina to cry and exposed Rybakina to mental abuse and push her beyond her physical boundaries, causing Rybakina to get sick.

Perhaps most importantly, Archer said she had concluded that Vukov had harassed Rybakina her by refusing to leave her at peace under the United States in the weeks following her dismissal of him as he sent her several lyrics. In addition, he violated the “no contact” directive, which was part of the WTA’s preliminary suspension of him.

“We need a safe environment for everyone,” Archer said, calling Vukov’s behavior a “contradiction” to it.

“It’s clear to me that you have a toxic relationship,” Archer wrote. She said in the letter that although there is increasing evidence that Vukov and Rybakina are involved in a romantic relationship and that he stayed in her hotel room in Melbourne does not change the facts of the case.

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Elena Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov suspended at WTA under Code of Conduct Investigation

Vukov, who refused violation of the Code of Conduct, was already prevented from achieving a WTA Coaching Legitimation while being investigated. Tennis Australia also refused to issue him accreditation for the first Grand Slam in the 2025 season after WTA suspended Vukov, which is only reported by The athletic January 2nd.

On January 1, Rybakina announced on social media that he would return to her team after they ended their five -year partnership before the evening of the 2024 US Open.

The WTA launched the investigation in 2024 after complaints were made about Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina, but Rybakina has repeatedly told WTA that his behavior has never been violent, according to people informed of the investigation and in direct contact with Rybakina.

Vukov, who was in Melbourne during the Australian Open, was excluded from accessing Melbourne Park on a identification and so unable to go into practice courts or Rybakina’s box. People who have been in direct contact with Rybakina, 2023 the Australian Open finalist said that more options were on the table for her to incorporate him into her setup. They varied from everything to acquire tickets so he could see matches inside the stadium as a spectator to boycott the tournament and events on the WTA Tour.

During the tournament, Rybakina expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation at several news conferences.

Rybakina lost to any master Madison Keys in the fourth round. Goran Ivanisevic, who was Rybakina’s ID’s Coach for the Tournament, and then quit his role on January 21st. Three sources with personal and professional relationships with Rybakina and Ivanisevic said he found coaching her extremely challenging because of the situation. Ivanisevic almost ended the role before the start of the tournament, but at an emotional meeting, Rybakina Ivanisevic pleaded on his team and was disturbed over the opportunity to enter the first Grand Slam tournament in 2025 without a coach.

Two sources briefed on the WTA investigation of Vukov, who participated in Rybakina’s events ahead of the Australian Open, had described Ivanisevic as blind -sided by Rybakina’s advertising that Vukov would return. Rybakina is now working with Davide Sanguinetti, who Rybakina confirmed has been in communication with Vukov since he joined his team.

She plays Rebecca Sramkova on the WTA 1000 Qatar Open Wednesday after beating American Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4 Tuesday.

(Top Photo: Getty Images)