In the weeks following Rybakina’s announcement, the ITF confirmed that Stefano Vukov had been temporarily suspended for breaching the sport’s code of conduct. Reports allege that his suspension was tied to instances of inappropriate behavior during matches, which included public criticism of Rybakina during high-pressure moments.

Vukov is barred from obtaining coaching or Grand Slam credentials, but Rybakina wants him back on her team — and could boycott the WTA.

Sixth-ranked Elena Rybakina has defended her former coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally suspended by the WTA as the governing body investigates a potential breach of its code of conduct.

Sixth-ranked Elena Rybakina has defended her former coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally suspended by the WTA

Vukov cannot coach while under investigation and Tennis Australia will not issue him with an accreditation for the upcoming Australian Open.

Elena Rybakina has confirmed rumors and she is indeed back to working with coach Stefano Vukov just four months after a split that occurred in pretty mysterious circumstances. At the start of the week, Russian tennis insider Sofya Tartakova claimed that the Croatian coach was set to accompany the Kazakh tennis star at Melbourne Park.

A lot has happened in the last week for Rybakina, not in a good way. Firstly, she announced on her Instagram that her ex-coach, Stefano Vukov, will join her team for the 2025 season.

The coach has just returned to the Kazakh's staff, but the WTA investigation could change the plans of the former Wimbledon 2022 champion