"I can't accept Vukov's behaviour" - Bartoli sides with Pam Shriver despite Rybakina's public comment on her coach
WTAThursday, 02 February 2023 at 15:00
Updated at Saturday, 11 January 2025 at 18:22
Marion Bartoli is taking the side of Pam Shriver in calling Stefano Vukov's behavior unacceptable despite Elena Rybakina publicly standing by her coach.
Several former tennis players questioned Stefano Vukov's coaching methods at the Australian Open. Laura Robson, who is a former WTA player and Eurosport analyst, did not find Vukov's 'grumpy' coaching style to be a good way of doing things during Rybakina's matches at the Australian Open.
Former player and coach Pam Shriver also came out with a similar statement saying that she hopes Rybakina finds a coach who treats her with more respect.
Bartoli seems to agree with that despite the Kazakhstani player backing her coach publically on social media after the comments. The former French player spoke about it during the latest episode of Match Points podcast.
"The way Rybakina’s coach is talking to Rybakina on the court is just not something I can accept. I just can’t take that any more. I sincerely hope for her sake and for her to be able to continue that game that she will be able to find a coach that talks with respect to her."
Rybakina called the comments about her coach 'disturbing' and urged the public not to buy into 'fake news.' However, Bartoli is adamant that she has seen similar incidents in the tennis world, and it's just not acceptable.
As a former player herself, Bartoli likely feels sympathy with Rybakina, even though the Wimbledon champion herself stated that there was no issue with their relationship.
"To see someone going hard at her in such a negative way – and I’ve seen that in the past myself, much more at events when I was with Jelena Ostapenko when she was playing those events as well, in some practice courts when there is no cameras – he is behaving in some ways I can’t accept."
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