Elena Rybakina stated she was “disappointed” with the WTA Tour’s determination to ban her former coach Stefano Vukov following the governing physique’s investigation into a possible breach of its code of conduct.
The governing physique revealed final month that the Croatian was provisionally suspended from holding an official function at tournaments after Rybakina introduced he was rejoining her crew.
Considerations have been raised over a number of years concerning Vukov’s behaviour in the direction of Rybakina, who he coached to the Wimbledon title in 2022.
A WTA assertion learn: “The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded.
“Following this course of, the suspension stays in place. To guard the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA won’t present additional particulars.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.”
Talking to reporters after her win over Rebecca Sramkova on the Qatar Open on Wednesday, Rybakina stated: “I am simply dissatisfied with the state of affairs, and the way the method went. I am not going to remark a lot on that any extra.
“I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I’m thinking only about the way I need to play, so I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent.
“Positively, it isn’t one of the best time, however as I stated, I am at all times specializing in my matches and need to carry out as greatest as I can.”
Rybakina, who had break up from Vukov forward of the US Open final summer time earlier than rehiring him, made it clear in Australia final month that she didn’t help the suspension.
“I don’t agree with a lot of things what WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano,” she stated on the time.
“As I said before, I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said that he never mistreated me.”
It stays to be seen how the continuing suspension impacts their teaching relationship.
Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, who had taken over teaching Rybakina, parted methods together with her after the Australian Open and he or she has since employed Italian Davide Sanguinetti.
In an interview with La Gazzetto dello Sport, Sanguinetti stated: “Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there. 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.”
Rybakina is ranked seventh on the earth and is taken into account among the many contenders for all the main titles however she has constantly struggled with unwell well being, which she blamed on insomnia.
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, in addition to the US Open in New York, reside on Sky Sports activities in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no further price. Discover out extra right here.