Elena Rybakina’s banned former coach, Stefano Vukov, is challenging the WTA’s decision to suspend him for one year over allegations of mental abuse.
The Croatian coach, who was handed the ban in Mar. 2025, has now launched an appeal through arbitration to overturn the ruling and reclaim his credentials on the women’s tennis tour.
Elena Rybakina’s coaching journey with Stefano Vukov began back in February 2019
The suspension stemmed from an internal WTA investigation that found Vukov violating the tour’s Code of Conduct. According to The Athletic, the findings concluded that Vukov’s behavior during his time with Rybakina amounted to mental abuse, leading to his exclusion from accessing player zones at WTA events, including practice courts, locker rooms, and other behind-the-scenes facilities.
The case has drawn widespread attention in the tennis world, not just because of its serious implications but also because Rybakina herself has remained staunchly supportive of Vukov despite the disciplinary action.
The Athletic of Ny times.
They sorted the Vukov saga in January.Some news from today.
Stefano Vukov made appeal of her suspension from WTA of 1 year.
Full article :https://t.co/1ONvxk451j#RolandGarros
— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) June 1, 2025
Rybakina, who ended her five-year professional partnership with Vukov in Aug. 2024, has since reconnected with him personally and professionally. Though she initially hired 2001 Wimbledon champion and Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic to take over coaching duties, the Kazakh star later announced that Vukov had rejoined her team.
She told reporters during the French Open that while they practice between tournaments, Vukov is not involved during official events, technically remaining within the terms of the WTA ban.
“We practice together between the tournaments, not when the tournament is on,” she said during a press conference in Paris.
Vukov, who now acts as Rybakina’s agent, has opted for arbitration, the only dispute resolution pathway allowed under WTA rules. Unlike court proceedings, arbitration keeps documents and testimony sealed from the public, and the WTA has declined to comment on the matter, citing confidentiality.
The Professional Tennis Players Association, which initially supported Rybakina’s effort to reinstate Vukov, reportedly withdrew after reviewing the details of the WTA’s investigation.
Rybakina acknowledged Vukov’s impact on her recent WTA resurgence
Rybakina took to social media in Jan. 2025, just before the Australian Open, to confirm that Vukov was once again part of her team.
Despite his ongoing suspension, the former World No. 3 credited him for her resurgence, which included a title win at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. It also included a spirited run to the fourth round of Roland Garros, where she narrowly lost to top seed Iga Świątek in a gripping three-set battle.
Unfortunately Lena is now lying if she said they only train between tourneys. They’ve been seen in nonaffiliated hotels on the circuit. She is only recently apparently recovering from this debacle and playing better tennis. However her facial expressions are not the former person with the sparkle in her eyes; she also is seemingly disengaged with postmatch interviews.
In short, this guy should not be allowed to continue, much less retrieve his former record, etc. People behind the scenes saw enough for some two years to warrant this investigation. Incuding some attendees like myself. People who acted out like him rarely change. Deny him such an opportunity in which he does not deserve.