Badosa Advances; Rybakina Faces Controversy in WTA Dubai Clash

Dubai, UAE – Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa has advanced to the round of 16 at the WTA Dubai Championships after a decisive victory over an undisclosed opponent. Badosa, currently ranked ninth in the WTA, is set to face Kazakhstan‘s Elena Rybakina, who secured her spot by defeating Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-3.

This upcoming match marks the first encounter between Badosa and Rybakina, the latter holding the seventh position in the WTA rankings. Badosa’s recent performance was marked by efficiency; she won her previous match with relative ease.

Elena Rybakina made headlines recently as the 2022 Wimbledon champion, amidst the tournament’s controversy involving a ban on Russian players. Although Rybakina was born in Russia, she competes under the Kazakh flag due to her nationality switch.

Rybakina’s career trajectory seemed promising, especially partnered with coach Stefano Vukov. However, their relationship soured in August 2024 when Rybakina’s team announced that Vukov was no longer coaching her. Reports indicate he did not accept the termination quietly, leading to an extensive pattern of harassment.

According to complaints from Rybakina’s team, Vukov bombarded her with over a hundred calls and messages, raising serious concerns about her safety. In light of these allegations, the WTA launched an investigation into Vukov’s conduct. His suspension was confirmed last January 31, preventing him from coaching for a year and mandating him to attend behavior classes.

The Athletic highlighted that troubling circumstances arose during the Australian Open when Vukov reportedly shared a hotel with Rybakina, igniting speculation about a possible personal relationship that could complicate the situation further.