Elena Rybakina has revealed that no players have offered her any support over the ban of her controversial coach Stefano Vukov.
It was revealed at the start of the year that the WTA had provisionally suspended Vukov pending an investigation into a breach of their code of conduct.
This came following Rybakina‘s announcement that Vukov would re-join her team just months after parting ways with the Croatian prior to last year’s US Open. The Russian-born Kazakh was coached by Vukov from February 2019 to August 2024.
The WTA confirmed last week that Vukov will remain suspended from coaching Rybakina in an official capacity, with The Athletic reporting it is a one-year ban.
In a statement, the WTA said: “The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded.
“Following this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.”
The Athletic has also reported shocking details of the “mental abuse” Rybakina was subjected to from Vukov and revealed the pair’s relationship was described as “toxic” by the WTA’s chief executive Portia Archer.
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The 25-year-old has repeatedly said that Vukov “has never mistreated” her since the news of the investigation broke last month.
Rybakina is currently in action at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, where she defeated world No 62 Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match.
Speaking in her press conference after her victory, Rybakina reiterated that she is not happy with the situation as she addressed whether any of her fellow players had reached out to her.
“It’s very disappointing the way it’s been handled, just the outcome,” the world No 7 said.
“No one offered any support. Honestly don’t need [it]. There is couple players I’m in touch [with] more. But to say that I have very, very close friends on tour, it’s I think not true just because we competing against each other. Everybody’s surrounded by their teams.
“I have a couple of good friends, let’s say. But again, it’s all depends on time, how much you can spend outside or not.”
The 2022 Wimbledon winner added: “I need to focus on my tournament. It’s what I’m trying to do. Yeah, hopefully I can just keep on playing, keep on winning.”
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The post Elena Rybakina opens up about friends on tour as she addresses support over Stefano Vukov ban appeared first on Tennis365.
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