Elena Rybakina has begun her Cincinnati Open campaign with a familiar face in her corner, as coach Stefano Vukov was spotted at the tournament for the first time since the WTA lifted his suspension.
Elena Rybakina’s Coach Stefano Vukov Returns to Tournament Grounds After Ban Lifted
The ninth-seeded Rybakina is joined by both Vukov and coach Davide Sanguinetti in Cincinnati. Sanguinetti was brought in during February, replacing Goran Ivanišević.
Stefano Vukov is now eligible to receive credentials at WTA events after successfully appealing his one-year suspension for breaching the tour’s code of conduct. The WTA recently confirmed that Vukov could access player areas and practice courts, marking his first official presence at a sanctioned tournament since his provisional suspension in January.
Elena Rybakina getting ready for her opening match in Cincinnati with Stefano Vukov and David Sanguinetti.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 9, 2025
Vukov was banned following allegations of “abuse of authority and abusive conduct” towards Rybakina, with reports that he called her “stupid” and told her she would “still be picking potatoes” in Russia without his support. However, the Croat contested the suspension through private arbitration, with hearings taking place before Wimbledon earlier this year.
While Vukov was absent, Sanguinetti outlined ambitious plans for his partnership with Rybakina, aiming to guide the Kazakh to a sixth-ranked finish in the rankings this year and reach World No. 1 in 2026.
Stefano Vukov has returned to Elena Rybakina’s coaching box after the
WTA lifted his suspension… #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/vPuVSMaPx7— Chewy Veetton (@bebem00m00) August 9, 2025
Rybakina’s Recent Struggles Amid Coaching Changes
The Kazakh has endured a turbulent coaching situation over the past year. She initially split from Vukov before the 2024 US Open, then hired former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević for the 2025 season. However, that partnership lasted very little, ending after Rybakina’s fourth-round exit at the Australian Open when she announced Vukov would rejoin her team despite his suspension.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion has consistently defended Vukov throughout the controversy, insisting he “never mistreated” her and expressing displeasure with the WTA’s handling of the situation. She maintained contact with him during tournaments even while he was banned, including thanking him during her trophy presentation after winning the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May.
The former World No. 3 enters Cincinnati following a disappointing semifinal loss to Victoria Mboko at the Montreal Open, where she failed to convert a match point in the deciding set. She is currently facing Renata Zarazúa with Vukov present in her box, and whoever wins, will take on either Elise Mertens or Clervie Ngounoue in the third round.
