By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, February 17, 2025
Picture 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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Nonetheless, the WTA declined to credential Vukov for the Australian Open resulting from his provisional suspension.
Final week, the WTA introduced an impartial 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 stated she believes gamers ought to respect the WTA’s determination and hopes the Tour is making an attempt to create a protected atmosphere for gamers.
“I suppose everyone 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 type of settle for the Code of Conduct after they need to be on WTA.
“So for positive I hope WTA is doing all the things to make it a protected atmosphere. For positive I do know that I additionally care a lot concerning the atmosphere round me. The one factor I can do is concentrate on how I select my folks to work with.”
Whereas the Tour has not specfically said 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 stated they’ve witnessed incidents that crossed the road.
Rybakina instructed the media in Doha final week she’s upset by the choice and doesn’t plan to debate her ex-coach’s standing.
“I am simply upset with the scenario, and the way the method went. I am not going to remark a lot on that any extra,” Rybakina stated. “I am specializing in my matches, and once I go on the courtroom I am pondering solely about the way in which I have to play, so I am concentrating on myself, and in addition, in fact, on the opponent.
“Undoubtedly, it isn’t the very best time, however as I stated, I am all the time specializing in my matches and need to carry out as greatest as I can.”
