Rybakina’s Coaching Controversy Sparks WTA Investigation

MELBOURNE, Australia — The tennis world is abuzz with controversy as Elena Rybakina, the world No. 7, navigates a tumultuous coaching situation involving her former coach Stefano Vukov, who was suspended by the WTA in January 2025 amid an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct. The suspension came just days after Rybakina announced Vukov’s unexpected return to her team, months after their initial split in August 2024.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, parted ways with Vukov last year and appointed Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon winner, as her head coach. However, Vukov’s suspension has cast a shadow over her Australian Open campaign, where she is aiming for her second Grand Slam title. Tennis Australia upheld the WTA’s provisional suspension, barring Vukov from receiving accreditation for the tournament.

Bernarda Pera, the Croatian-American WTA player ranked 78th, described the situation as “a completely strange story” in an interview with a Serbian outlet. “Little is known about that situation. I think they are waiting for the WTA, and I don’t think he can enter the tournament,” Pera said. “I was never present in a situation where he mistreated her, so I can’t say what happened, but I’m definitely against any kind of abuse.”

Rybakina has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open without dropping a set, but concerns over her physical condition have emerged after she sustained an injury during her third-round victory over Dayana Yastremska. Meanwhile, Ivanisevic hinted at the possibility of leaving his role as Rybakina’s coach due to the ongoing controversy. “Really, it’s not good for anybody,” Ivanisevic told Bounces. “The investigation is still on, so we wait for the WTA to finish, and then I can talk about everything. But until then… I am, for the moment, here.”

The WTA has yet to release further details about the investigation, leaving the tennis community in suspense. Rybakina, who has remained focused on her performance in Melbourne, faces an uncertain future with her coaching team as the drama unfolds.