Stefano Vukov, who used to coach tennis star Elena Rybakina, is now allowed to attend WTA tournaments again after a ban was lifted.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) had suspended Vukov earlier this year while they investigated a possible breach of their code of conduct. The exact reason for the suspension hasn’t been made public, and the WTA hasn’t said who made the complaint.
Vukov denies doing anything wrong and told The Athletic he has “never abused anyone.” He was Rybakina’s coach for five years and helped her win Wimbledon in 2022.
Although she ended their partnership just before the 2024 US Open, Rybakina later brought Vukov back while briefly working with Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach. This decision raised some eyebrows in the tennis world.
The WTA said in a statement:
“We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all players and staff. Any penalties given after breaches of our safeguarding rules are carefully reviewed and can be appealed.”
Rybakina, currently ranked world number 10, has defended Vukov and said she wasn’t mistreated by him. She has also expressed frustration with coaches and commentators discussing the situation publicly.
