Allegations Against Coach Prompt WTA Investigation into Rybakina’s Safety

NEW YORK, United States — Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, is at the center of a WTA investigation into allegations of abusive conduct involving her former coach, Stefano Vukov. The investigation was initiated after incidents that occurred in late August 2024, just before the U.S. Open.

Vukov reportedly attempted to convince Rybakina to reunite with him at her Manhattan hotel, despite being told to leave her alone due to termination of their coaching relationship. Sources close to Rybakina’s team stated that he bombarded her with over 100 phone calls and numerous text messages as he sought to reestablish contact.

Concerns over Rybakina’s safety prompted members of her inner circle to report Vukov’s behavior to the WTA. As a result, the governing body of women’s tennis launched an independent investigation into the coach’s conduct, which included multiple complaints from other players regarding his treatment of Rybakina.

On January 31, WTA CEO Portia Archer informed both Rybakina and Vukov of the investigation’s findings, which resulted in a one-year suspension for Vukov. He has also been mandated to attend behavior training.

In a three-page summary of the investigation, Archer detailed Vukov’s harassment, revealing accusations of mental and verbal abuse directed at Rybakina, including derogatory remarks about her intelligence. The report stated that Vukov’s actions compromised Rybakina’s mental health, contributing to physical symptoms that led her to withdraw from several tournaments in 2024.

“Her request for space was ignored,” Archer wrote, explaining that Vukov had “ridiculed and abused” Rybakina, which had detrimental effects on her performance and well-being.

Vukov, 37, denied all allegations of misconduct and is considering an appeal against his suspension. Despite the investigation, Rybakina, who plays under the Kazakhstan flag, reportedly reversed her decision to part ways with Vukov in late 2024, with sources claiming their relationship transitioned into a romantic one.

WTA findings suggest an increasingly unhealthy dynamic between Rybakina and Vukov, with witnesses describing their relationship as “toxic.” Rybakina has expressed disappointment regarding how the WTA handled the investigation and its aftermath.

After a match in Dubai on February 18, following a victory over Moyuka Uchijima, Rybakina remarked, “I’m just disappointed with the situation and how the process went.” She has since refrained from further public comments regarding Vukov.

The WTA continues to maintain a strict policy to ensure the protection and welfare of all players involved, issuing statements reaffirming its commitment to addressing such serious matters with confidentiality and integrity. Rybakina’s representatives have indicated she did not file a formal complaint, yet the WTA’s intervention was deemed necessary in light of external concerns.

As the tennis community grapples with allegations and claims of emotional abuse in sports, this case further highlights the challenges players face in maintaining healthy support systems amidst competitive pressures.