A case of abuse, one more in the world of sport, shakes and at the same time confuses the circuit these days WTA. Everything revolves around the conflictive relationship of the kazaja Elena rybakina, 25 years and Wimbledon champion in 2022, with Stefano Vukov, The coach who guided her to play another final of Grand Slam – Australia 2023 – and get to third place in the ranking.
The situation was climbing and forced an WTA investigation, which on January 31 gave its verdict. Portia Archer, Executive Director of the Association, described violations of the code of behavior of the entity that regulates female tennis. “Participate in abuse of abusive authority and behavior towards the player, which includes compromising or trying to compromise their psychological, physical or emotional well -being; participate in physical and verbal abuse; and exploit their relationship for other personal and/or commercial interests at the expense of the best interest of the player, ”he details in a three -page confidential summary that The Athletic accessed.
According to a parallel investigation of the aforementioned American medium, it all started in the WTA 1000 in Miami 2022. “A coach of another player witnessed what he described as an unpleasant confrontation between Vukov and Rybakina in the grass of Hard Rock Stadium, the heating area outside of the central court. He says he saw Rybakina doing a feet game exercise under the supervision of Vukov, who repeatedly questioned his intelligence, called her stupid and asked how it was possible that he did not understand a simple instruction, “ Develop The Athletic. That coach, who chose to stay in anonymity, was the one who reported the situation.
Rybakina, however, never expressed himself against Vukov or denounced any fact like those alluded to. Even when the case took public impact. On the contrary, on more than one occasion he protected him. “After a great open of Australia, I saw some disturbing comments about my coach’s behavior and I want to clarify any wrong interpretation. Stefano believed in me for many years, before anyone else. Together we draw a strategy to achieve great things and its method is reflected in my success in the Grand Slam “said after losing in 2023 the final of the Major Australian. His words were directed mainly for Pam Shriver and Laura Robson, two former tennis players who expressed themselves about this issue.
“Those who know me well know that I would never accept a coach who would not respect me and all our work. It may be calm on the court and in general, but within me there is a competitive athlete who wants to achieve great things and Stefano helped me a lot in that regard. So, please, ignore any false news that says otherwise, ”he added after giving in to Aryna Sabalenka in the grand final.
According to Archer, in a training in Wimbledon that same year, where Rybakina arrived as a defender champion, another similar episode was given. According to the letter, Vukov ridiculed her by calling her “stupid” and “delayed”, as well as “throwing balls” and telling her that she would still be in Russia “picking up potatoes” if it weren’t for him. And an episode of harassment in New York is added, where Vukov traveled to accompany Rybakina in the last US Open, despite the fact that the player had already fired him.
“While the WTA investigated Vukov, Rybakina told several sources present in his recent events that his relationship with him had become personal and romantic, “ The Athletic says in his research, which perhaps explains the reason why the tennis player sought to cover up the situation. Archer’s letter also points out the change in his relationship. “I am clear that the relationship he created with the player is not healthy,” Archer wrote, adding that the witnesses described the relationship of Vukov and Rybakina as “toxic.”
Rybakina’s celebration with Vukov after being Wimbledon champion. Photo: Reuters/Hannah McKayChance or causality, Rybakina suffered between 2023 and 2024 different injuries and retired from several tournaments, including the WTA 1000 of Indian Wells and Rome and also the Olympic Games in Paris.
Earlier this year, Vukov received a provisional sanction of 12 months. He cannot exercise as his coach formally, but that suspension does not prevent him from performing as his agent, manager or even taking care of the representation and management of the Kazaja. That is, it can be linked to it even more than before.