Tennis coach Stefano Vukov is suspended and under investigation by the WTA. The reason is that he is suspected of having violated the organization’s code of conduct, according to BBC.
The 37-year-old is defended by world number six Jelena Rybakina.
– He has never treated me badly or anything like that. I respect him for everything he has done, says the star player at a press conference.
Vukov was Rybakina’s coach until late last summer, but the parties ended their collaboration shortly before the US Open.
The criticism: “Should treat her with respect”
Several profiles have criticized him for his actions towards Rybakina and suggested that he treated her badly.
One of them is Pam Shriver, former grand slam champion in doubles and today coach of Donna Vekic. In connection with the Australian Open 2023, she said, among other things, that Rybakina “should find a coach who talks and treats her with respect”.
After the criticism, 25-year-old Rybakina has called the accusations “fake news”.
Returning to cooperate
A few days ago, Rybakina announced that Vukov will again be part of her team during the year.
That prompted Shriver to speak out once more.
“It is time for our entire sport to stand up against abuse and cult-like manipulation of players. This is a very sad situation,” the platform read X.
Stefano Vukov has always maintained his innocence.
“I have definitely not treated anyone badly,” he wrote in another text message The Athletic.