Rybakina and Banned Coach Vukov All Smiles Together Despite Suspension

Stefano Vukov's return to Elena Rybakina's setup has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt after one of her team members posted a picture that included him.

Vukov coached Rybakina for over five years until the pair suddenly split a few days before the 2024 US Open. The 2022 Wimbledon champion did not want to delve into the reasons for that move at the time.

It later emerged that the WTA was investigating Vukov for mistreating Rybakina. The governing body intended to keep that private until a verdict was reached, but felt it had to reveal the situation when Rybakina announced her intention to add Vukov to her team again.

The WTA ultimately upheld Vukov's suspension after finding multiple instances of him treating Rybakina poorly. However, the 25-year-old insists that he never overstepped the line and was opposed to the investigation.

Vukov's ban has not stopped the pair from finding ways to work together. They were pictured on a court in the United Arab Emirates, which is allowed since it is not linked to a professional tournament.

Stefan Duell is a physiotherapist who has worked with Rybakina for a while. Vukov's central place on her team is evident after he shared a picture that included him, despite his ban from the WTA Tour.

Duell posted a picture on social media before he, Rybakina, and other team members flew to Australia for Kazakhstan's 2025 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. Rybakina will be in action for her country on April 10th and 11th.

Despite Vukov's suspension preventing him from traveling for the Billie Jean King Cup, he was still included in the picture posted by Duell, which shows the critical role the Croatian plays behind the scenes.

It feels like Duell's post might have been sending a signal. On the face of it, there was no need to include Vukov in a picture about traveling to Australia. Only the team members who can travel were necessary for that post to make sense.

Rybakina and/or Vukov might have wanted him to be in it to show that he is a pivotal part of the team again. The world No. 3's willingness to work with him and not keep it private despite the ban proves how much she values his role.

Some remain worried about Rybakina. Many of the WTA's findings, including much disturbing verbal abuse Vukov aimed at her, were quite shocking and have created concerns about her letting a toxic figure remain prominent.

Goran Ivanisevic was briefly Rybakina's coach from the 2024 off-season until the end of the 2025 Australian Open. Things broke down when the 2001 Wimbledon Champion was clearly blindsided by Rybakina's announcement on New Year's Day that she wanted to add Vukov to her team again.

In a recent interview, Ivanisevic said the story of how the partnership ended with Rybakina was a strange and sad one. He did not want to say much out of respect for her, but the situation with Vukov undoubtedly caused their split.