WTA bans Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina’s former coach, for one year after code of conduct investigation
The WTA Tour has banned Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina’s former coach, from coaching and from obtaining credentials for professional tennis events.
The organization did not specify the length of the suspension or how Vukov violated its rules, but two sources briefed on the WTA investigation, who like all the sources in this story spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships in tennis, said it is a one-year ban.
In a statement, the WTA said: “The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded.
“Following this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.”
Vukov was not immediately available for comment. Rybakina said that Vukov “has never mistreated” her in a news conference at the United Cup in Sydney January 4, adding that she was “not happy” with the situation.
The organization did not release a report on its investigation, which had been looking into complaints that Vukov had been verbally abusive to Rybakina; Vukov and Rybakina did not disclose its findings either.
Portia Archer, the chief executive of the WTA Tour, informed them of the decision on January 31. Archer issued Vukov a three-page summary in which she stated that Vukov has violated the tour’s code of conduct by calling Rybakina “stupid” and telling her that without him she would “still be in Russia picking potatoes,” according to a source briefed on the investigation who has reviewed the letter and is in contact with Rybakina’s camp.
Archer also stated in the letter that investigators had concluded Vukov had made Rybakina cry and subjected Rybakina to mental abuse and pushing her beyond her physical limits, which caused Rybakina to become ill.
Perhaps most importantly, Archer said she had concluded that Vukov had harassed Rybakina her by refusing to leave her alone during the U.S. Open in the weeks following her dismissal of him, when he sent her multiple texts. In addition, he violated the “no contact” directive that was part of the WTA’s provisional suspension of him.
“We need a safe environment for everyone,” Archer stated, calling Vukov’s behavior a “contradiction” to that.
“It’s clear to me you have a toxic relationship,” Archer wrote. She stated in the letter that while there is increasing evidence that Vukov and Rybakina are involved in a romantic relationship and that he stayed in her hotel room in Melbourne, that does not change the facts of the case.
Vukov, who denied breaching the code of conduct, was already barred from obtaining a WTA coaching credential while under investigation. Tennis Australia also refused to issue him accreditation for the first Grand Slam of the 2025 season after the WTA suspended Vukov, as exclusively reported by January 2.
On January 1, Rybakina announced on social media that he would be returning to her team, after they ended their five-year partnership on the eve of the 2024 U.S. Open.
The WTA launched the investigation in 2024 after complaints were made about Vukov’s conduct towards Rybakina but Rybakina has repeatedly told the WTA that his conduct has never been abusive, according to people briefed on the investigation and in direct contact with Rybakina.
Vukov, who was in Melbourne during the Australian Open, was barred from accessing Melbourne Park on a credential and so unable to enter practice courts or Rybakina’s box. People who have been in direct contact with Rybakina, the 2023 Australian Open finalist, said that multiple options were on the table for her to incorporate him into her setup. They ranged from everything to acquiring tickets so that he could watch matches inside the stadium as a spectator, to boycotting the tournament and events on the WTA Tour.
During the tournament, Rybakina expressed her displeasure at the situation in multiple news conferences.
Rybakina lost to eventual champion Madison Keys in the fourth round. Goran Ivanisevic, who was Rybakina’s credentialed coach for the tournament, then quit his role January 21. Three sources with personal and professional relationships with Rybakina and Ivanisevic said that he found coaching her extremely challenging because of the situation. Ivanisevic almost quit the role before the start of the tournament, but in an emotional meeting, Rybakina pleaded with Ivanisevic to stay on her team, becoming upset at the possibility of entering the first Grand Slam tournament of 2025 without a coach.
Two sources briefed on the WTA investigation into Vukov, who attended Rybakina’s events prior to the Australian Open, had described Ivanisevic as blindsided by Rybakina’s announcing that Vukov would return. Rybakina is now working with Davide Sanguinetti, who Rybakina confirmed has been in communication with Vukov since joining her team.
She will play Rebecca Sramkova at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open Wednesday, after beating American Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4 Tuesday.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Tennis, Women's Tennis
2025 The Athletic Media Company
