Goran Ivanišević shed some light on the dark situation involving Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina and her coach Stefano Vukov: “It’s a very sad and strange story.”
The 2001 Wimbledon champion had a brief stint as the 25-year-old player’s coach. He joined her team in November 2024 but resigned in January, unwilling to get involved in a drama that remains unclear.
“I won’t talk much about it, but I can say that it’s a bit of a sad and strange story,” he told Arena Sport, as reported by Talking Tennis.
“I considered her, even before becoming her coach, the best tennis player in the world,” continued the former ATP No. 2. “She plays the most beautifully, in the simplest way, and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, some things happened off the court that I couldn’t control and didn’t want to be a part of, so I decided it was best to quit,” the Croatian explained.
At the beginning of January, during the United Cup in Australia, the WTA provisionally suspended Vukov while investigating a potential violation of the women’s tour’s code of conduct. This decision was made public just two days after the Russia-born Kazakh announced on social media that Vukov was rejoining her coaching team. They had ended their professional relationship in August after years of success, highlighted by the 2022 Wimbledon title and the 2023 Australian Open final.
The Athletic revealed that Vukov has been banned for a year (effective from January 31, 2025) after the investigation determined that the 37-year-old Croatian repeatedly made the former world No. 3 cry, subjected her to mental abuse, and pushed her beyond her physical limits.
According to the report, WTA Tour CEO Portia Archer sent a three-page summary concluding that “it is clear they have a toxic relationship.” The document states that Vukov violated the tour’s code of conduct and provides specific details on the matter.
Elena Rybakina aperçue à l’entraînement avec Stefano Vukov. Suspendu un an par la WTA pour emprise, abus verbaux et psychologiques, le coach croate n’a pas le droit d’être présent sur des tournois WTA, mais rien ne l’empêche d’entraîner la joueuse en privé.
📸 IG rashidaaljasmi pic.twitter.com/9Ed9CvXw25
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) March 26, 2025
Another key point for Archer is that, after his dismissal before the 2024 US Open, Vukov harassed Rybakina. During the tournament in New York, he sent her text messages with attempts at emotional manipulation. The report also states that the coach insulted her, calling her “stupid,” and told her that without him, she “would still be in Russia picking potatoes.”
It is also suggested that Vukov and Rybakina may have a sentimental relationship, as he stayed in her hotel room during the Australian Open in Melbourne, when he was already under provisional suspension.
However, the Kazakh has defended Vukov, stating several times that his behavior was not abusive and that he never mistreated her.
Recently, a photo was shared on social media showing Rybakina preparing for the clay-court season with the coach. While Vukov is banned from all tour events, there is nothing that prevents him from coaching the player privately.
