Elena Rybakina has voiced her disappointment following the WTA Tour’s decision to suspend her former coach, Stefano Vukov, after an investigation into a potential breach of the code of conduct.
The WTA announced last month that Vukov, a Croatian coach who led Rybakina to her 2022 Wimbledon title, was provisionally banned from holding official roles at tournaments. This followed Rybakina’s announcement that Vukov had rejoined her coaching team.
Concerns about Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina had surfaced over the years, leading to the investigation. However, Rybakina remains critical of the WTA’s handling of the matter. Speaking at the Qatar Open, she said, “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that any more.”
Rybakina emphasized her focus remains on her matches, despite the controversy. “I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent. Definitely, it’s not the best time, but as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can,” she added.
The suspension has stirred questions about Vukov’s role in her coaching setup, especially with Rybakina’s recent hiring of Italian coach Davide Sanguinetti. Sanguinetti confirmed that he and Vukov are in regular communication and share a mutual understanding, suggesting a collaborative approach to her training.
Despite these challenges, Rybakina, ranked seventh in the world, remains a strong contender for major titles. However, her ongoing battle with health issues, including insomnia, continues to impact her performance.
Source: Swifteradio.com
