By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, February 17, 2025
Photograph credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
The continued suspension saga of Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina’s ex coach, continues to command consideration.
Final month, Rybakina introduced her intention to re-hire Vukov to her teaching group.
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Nevertheless, the WTA declined to credential Vukov for the Australian Open as a consequence of his provisional suspension.
Final week, the WTA introduced an unbiased investigation right into a “potential breach of the WTA Code” has wrapped and Vukov will nonetheless be barred from teaching on tour.
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was requested her response to the case forward of her Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships opener.
Swiatek mentioned she believes gamers ought to respect the WTA’s choice and hopes the Tour is attempting to create a secure surroundings for gamers.
“I assume all people must respect the choice as a result of, once more, we have to belief that the entire course of was made with proper guidelines,” Swiatek instructed the media in Dubai forward of her opener vs. fellow former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. “Each PT, each coach, they should form of settle for the Code of Conduct after they wish to be on WTA.
“So for positive I hope WTA is doing every thing to make it a secure surroundings. For positive I do know that I additionally care a lot concerning the surroundings round me. The one factor I can do is give attention to how I select my folks to work with.”
Whereas the Tour has not specfically acknowledged what Code of Conduct violations Vukov incurred, The Athletic has reported the coach was accused of verbally abusing Rybakina.
The previous Wimbledon champion has denied Vukov has been abusive although different coaches has mentioned they’ve witnessed incidents that crossed the road.
Rybakina instructed the media in Doha final week she’s disillusioned by the choice and doesn’t plan to debate her ex-coach’s standing.
“I am simply disillusioned with the state of affairs, and the way the method went. I am not going to remark a lot on that any extra,” Rybakina mentioned. “I am specializing in my matches, and once I go on the court docket I am pondering solely about the way in which I have to play, so I am concentrating on myself, and in addition, after all, on the opponent.
“Positively, it is not one of the best time, however as I mentioned, I am at all times specializing in my matches and wish to carry out as greatest as I can.”
