Elena Rybakina Sent Warning After Player Banned For Working With Suspended Coach
News
The dangers and potential pitfalls of Elena Rybakina's situation with Stefano Vukov have been shown by a player being punished by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for working with a suspended coach.
Rybakina is prohibited from being coached by Vukov at any tournament on the WTA calendar and at any official facilities related to the WTA after being suspended due to his behavior towards Rybakina when he was her coach.
Although the Kazakhstani insisted before and after the WTA's investigation that Vukov never mistreated her, the governing body of women's tennis disagreed based on its findings and said he remained suspended.
Vukov had coached Rybakina for over five years until their collaboration suddenly ended a few days before the 2024 US Open. The WTA was forced to reveal its investigation when Rybakina unexpectedly announced on New Year's Day that her former coach would rejoin her team.
Despite the Croatian coach's suspension, he remains an active part of Rybakina's career and life. There are strong rumors about the pair dating, but neither has officially confirmed it.
His role was demonstrated by the pair being pictured together on a court in the United Arab Emirates. It proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he had resumed coaching her and that Rybakina wanted him to have a prominent role in her career.
Vukov's attendance at Rybakina's training in the UAE did not break the terms of his ban because the location used is not an official facility related to the WTA Tour, meaning they can go to it together in any capacity.
However, how careful Rybakina needs to be in her relationship with Vukov while he is suspended was demonstrated after a player received a ban for training with an individual who is serving a suspension.
The ITIA announced that 22-year-old Mina Hodzic was banned for three months after being coached by Jordi Marse-Vidri. Marse-Vidri is a former player serving a 15-year ban until 2035 after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Hodzic only has herself to blame. The ITIA had warned her about working with Marse-Vidri without handing her a punishment. That should have been the wake-up call she needed to stay away from him.
Rybakina would put herself in similar danger if she arrived at an official facility with Vukov despite his ban. That could jeopardize her career in a way that might prove very damaging.
Many continue to be concerned by Vukov's influence on Rybakina. The Kazakhstani has not been at her best since the start of 2025, and the anxiety surrounding the situation has probably not helped.
Players having close bonds with coaches is not unusual, but the dynamic between Vukov and Rybakina alarmed many for years before the WTA's suspension of the Croatian occurred. Many found him to be needlessly harsh and even abusive during her matches.
Goran Ivanisevic briefly replaced Vukov, but left after the 2025 Australian Open. He recently spoke about that split. The 2001 Wimbledon champion did not want to say much out of respect to Rybakina, but the Vukov situation was clearly a determining factor.
