What's happened
Stefano Vukov, coach of tennis player Elena Rybakina, is under investigation by the WTA for a potential breach of its code of conduct. Rybakina has stated that Vukov never mistreated her, but he is provisionally suspended and cannot enter player-only areas during the Australian Open.
Go deeper
Impact on Rybakina's Performance
- Rybakina's collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic may be affected by Vukov's presence.
- The uncertainty surrounding Vukov could impact Rybakina's focus during the Australian Open.
WTA's Stance
- The WTA's investigation reflects a commitment to maintaining player safety and integrity.
- Provisional suspensions are a serious measure, indicating the gravity of the allegations.
Community Reactions
- Rybakina's defense of Vukov highlights conflicting views within the tennis community.
- Prominent figures, like Pam Shriver, have criticized Vukov's return, calling for accountability in the sport.
What the papers say
According to Tumaini Carayol from The Guardian, Rybakina expressed her dissatisfaction with the comments circulating about Vukov, stating, "Of course I’m not really happy with the situation." Meanwhile, AP News reported that the WTA confirmed Vukov's provisional suspension, emphasizing the need for clarity amid public statements. Jamie Braidwood from The Independent noted that Rybakina's past success with Vukov complicates the narrative, as she stated, "He never mistreated me." This divergence in perspectives illustrates the tension between personal experience and broader community concerns regarding player welfare.
How we got here
Rybakina and Vukov ended their five-year coaching partnership in August 2024. Recently, Rybakina announced Vukov's return to her team, despite the ongoing WTA investigation into his conduct.
Common question
-
What is the WTA Investigation into Rybakina's Coach About?
The WTA's investigation into Elena Rybakina's coach, Stefano Vukov, has raised questions about player welfare and coaching conduct in professional tennis. With Vukov under provisional suspension, fans and analysts are eager to understand the implications for Rybakina and the sport as a whole. Here are some common questions surrounding this situation.
-
What are the biggest news stories of January 2025?
January 2025 has already seen significant events across various sectors, from entertainment to sports and politics. This roundup highlights the major stories making headlines, including the Golden Globes, record-breaking sports achievements, and notable political figures. Read on to discover how these events connect and what trends are emerging.
More on these topics
-
The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne, Australia. The tournament is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year excepting 1986, preceding the French Open, Wimbledon, and
-
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
-
Sir Andrew Barron Murray OBE is a British professional tennis player from Scotland. Murray represents Great Britain in his sporting activities and is a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner, two-time Olympic champion, Davis Cup champion, winner of the 2
-
Jannik Sinner is an Italian tennis player. Sinner has a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 68, achieved in February 2020. His career-high doubles ranking is No. 380, achieved in March 2020. He is the first male player born in 2001 to reach a Gra
-
Elena Andreyevna Rybakina is a Russian-born Kazakhstani professional tennis player. She has a career-high ranking of No. 17 by the Women's Tennis Association.
-
The United Cup is an international hard court tennis competition featuring mixed-gender teams from 18 countries. The first event was held in December 2022 through January 2023.