April 24, 2025 2:03 am
Full News

Rybakina’s Former Coach Suspended Amid Ongoing Investigation

Elena Rybakina’s former coach, Stefano Vukov, has been provisionally suspended by the WTA as an investigation into his behavior continues. The 37-year-old Croatian coach, who played a pivotal role in Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon victory, has been accused of violating the WTA’s Code of Conduct.

Rybakina, currently ranked world number six, recently announced Vukov’s return to her team. However, the WTA confirmed his suspension to BBC Sport, barring him from receiving accreditation for WTA events and restricting his access to player-only areas, such as practice courts and other training facilities.

While the specific nature of the allegations remains unclear, the investigation began after a complaint—though it is not known whether it was initiated by Rybakina or another party. Vukov has denied any misconduct, stating to The Athletic: “I never abused anyone.”

The WTA addressed the situation publicly, saying:
“Although we typically do not comment on active investigations, recent public statements have misrepresented the matter. We will not provide further details at this time.”

History of Concerns

Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina, both on and off the court, has been a topic of discussion for several seasons. His manner of communication with the Kazakh player has often drawn criticism, particularly during tournaments. However, the exact aspect of the WTA’s Code of Conduct he allegedly breached has not been disclosed.

Pam Shriver, a former Grand Slam doubles champion and current coach of Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic, has been one of Vukov’s most outspoken critics. During Rybakina’s journey to the 2023 Australian Open final, Shriver publicly urged her to find a coach who “speaks and treats her with respect at all times.”

Rybakina, at the time, dismissed such claims, calling them “disturbing” and “fake news.”

Following Rybakina’s recent announcement about reuniting with Vukov, Shriver again voiced her concerns on social media, urging the tennis community to “stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulations of players.”

Coaching Dynamics

Vukov initially began coaching Rybakina during her teenage years, helping her rise to prominence on the WTA Tour. The two parted ways before the 2023 US Open, after which Rybakina appointed former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as her coach. Ivanisevic, who has also coached Novak Djokovic, is reportedly working with Rybakina on a trial basis, with the arrangement set to be reviewed after the Australian Open.

The implications of Rybakina’s intention to reintegrate Vukov into her team for Ivanisevic’s role remain uncertain.

As the investigation unfolds, the tennis world awaits clarity on the allegations and their impact on Rybakina’s career and coaching arrangements.

Related News
TikTok Deal Stalls Amid US-China Trade Tensions
Exclusive Visa Program for World-Class Talent Launched
Meta Launches Edit: A New Video Editing App Amidst TikTok Ban
UN Migration Agency Resumes Aid to Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Extends Greetings on Bangladesh’s National Day
Roquia Haider Elected as Convenor for New York International Bengali Book Fair
Related Posts
MIDI Strategic Vision: Analysis of Development and Economic Impact in Bangladesh.
Title: South Asia’s Growth Prospects Declining Alarmingly: World Bank
India Declares Pakistani Military Advisers ‘Persona Non Grata’
India Cancels Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan Following Kashmir Attack
Swachip Office Vandalized Amid Political Turmoil : Bangladeshi Doctors’ Body Blames ‘Illegitimate Yunus Government’
Modi Avoids Pakistani Airspace on Return from Saudi Arabia
More News

Netanyahu Rushes to the U.S. to Meet Trump Amid Ongoing War

While Israel continues its relentless assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, the Palestinian armed resistance group Hamas has also launched its strongest attack on Israel in recent months. Despite the brutal and indiscriminate Israeli attacks, Hamas has mounted significant counteroffensives. Amid these developments, a global general strike has been called in protest of the Israeli […]

China’s January New Loans Surge to Record High Amid Economic Recovery Efforts

New bank loans in China surged to a record high of 5.13 trillion yuan ($706.40 billion) in January, surpassing analysts’ forecasts of 4.5 trillion yuan, as the central bank moved to support a patchy economic recovery. This sharp increase, more than quadrupling December’s figure, reinforces expectations for further stimulus in the coming months, especially as […]

‘Kraven the Hunter’ Bombs With $11M at the Box Office

The highly anticipated superhero film Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular character, has disappointed at the box office, grossing just $11 million in its opening weekend. Despite the hype surrounding the character, who is a popular Spider-Man villain, the movie’s performance has been underwhelming, leaving many in the industry shocked. The film, […]

Zelensky ready to exchange ‘North Korean troops’ with Ukrainians held in Russia

Zelenskyy earlier said Ukraine had taken two North Korean soldiers captive from Russia’s Kursk region Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is ready to hand over captured North Korean troops to their leader Kim Jong Un if they can arrange exchanges with Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia. “There will undoubtedly be more to come after […]

Yunus ‘Usurer, Terrorist Leader’! Bangladesh in turmoil over girl’s rape case, Hasina criticizes government in late-night audio message

In a nearly 9-minute audio message, Sheikh Hasina expressed concerns about rising violence against women in Bangladesh. She claimed that Bangladesh is gradually falling behind in terms of women’s safety and other indicators. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has raised her voice against the growing incidents of violence against women and rape […]

20 Consecutive Wins Again In The Final Of The Australian Open

The first set of fighting is too. Ben Shelton did not find the next two sets. Yannik Sinar, who won the Australian Open for the second time, won the straight set. The Italian star’s winning stream reached 20 matches. Rod Lever Arena in Melbourne won the top player in the second semi-final on Friday, 3-5 […]

India’s Space Program to Reach New Heights in 2025 with Ambitious Missions and Collaborations

In 2025, India’s space program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is set to achieve significant milestones, marking its most pivotal year yet. Key missions such as Gaganyaan’s uncrewed test flight, the Chandrayaan-4 lunar return mission, and the ambitious SpaDex docking experiment highlight India’s advancement in space exploration, positioning it among the elite […]

Ben Affleck and Jenna Ortega Bring New Projects to SXSW 2025

Ben Affleck and Jenna Ortega are among the star attractions at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, where their latest projects are set to make waves. The renowned festival, taking place March 8-16, 2025, will feature these two talented stars presenting fresh and exciting work. Affleck, whose career spans both acting and […]

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Wins Ghana’s Presidential Election

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) party has emerged victorious in Ghana’s presidential election, defeating the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Former Ghanaian President John Mahama, the NDC’s presidential candidate, has claimed the presidency in a significant comeback. Celebrations erupted near the NDC headquarters in Accra on December 8, 2024, as Mahama’s supporters danced, waved flags, […]

Trump Moves Inauguration Indoors Due to ‘Dangerous’ Cold Weather Forecast

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a significant change to his upcoming inauguration plans due to an unprecedented cold weather forecast for Washington D.C. on January 20, 2025. This decision comes in response to what meteorological experts are describing as “dangerous” cold temperatures expected to grip the nation’s capital on Inauguration Day, leading to a full […]