Elena Rybakina said she was “disappointed” with WTA Tour’s decision to stop her former coach Stefano Vukov after investigating the governing body for a possible violation of his code of conduct.
The governing body revealed last month that the Croatian had been temporarily suspended from holding an official role in the tournament after Rybakina announced it was reuniting with her team.
Concerns have been raised over the years about Vukov’s behavior towards Rybakina, which he trained in the title of Wimbledon in 2022.
A statement WTA read: “WTA confirms that the independent investigation of a possible violation of the WTA behavior code by Stefano Vukov has ended.
“After this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, WTA will not provide further details.
“We remain committed to ensure that all issues are treated in a fair and objective way in accordance with the WTA Code.”
Speaking to reporters after her victory over Rebecca Sramkova in Qatar Open on Wednesday, Rybakina said: I am just disappointed with the situation and how the process went. I will not comment much about it.
“I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go to court I’m just thinking about how I should play, so I’m focusing on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent.
“Of course, it’s not the best time, but as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and I want to perform as good as I can.”
Rybakina, who was separated from Vukov before the US Open last summer before reopening it, made it clear to Australia last month that she did not support the suspension.
“I disagree with many things WTA do in terms of my relationship with Stefano,” she said at the time.
“As I said before, I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said he never mistreated me.”
It remains to be seen how constant suspension affects their training relationships.
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Daniela Hantuchova told tennis Sky Sport
The former champion of Wimbledon, Goran Ivankevic, who had taken on Rybakina’s training, shared with him after Australian Open and she has since employed Italian Davide Sanguinetti.
In an interview with LA Gazzetto dello SportSanguinetti said: “Vukov and Elena are nearby, he will always be there. Stefano and I talk a lot, we are at the same wavelength. It’s not a problem to have two coaches, it’s almost a trend now.”
Rybakina ranks seventh in the world and is considered among the contenders for all the main titles, but she has repeatedly fought with the bad health she blamed for insomnia.
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