“There were some other offers, but I think I chose the right one for me because of Elena’s playing style and potential, but also because of her personality.” Goran Ivanisevic said last year while explaining why he chose to coach Elena Rybakina. After splitting from ex-trainer Stefano Vukov, the 2022 Wimbledon champion hired Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach in November. But lately, her announcement to bring back Vukov, amid a WTA ban on him, has complicated the situation. Especially ahead of her Australian Open campaign. Not to mention it’s left Ivanisevic unsure on his tenure with Rybakina. Is he thinking to have a split?

“The WTA can confirm that Stefano Vukov is currently under a provisional suspension pending an independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct,” said a WTA spokesperson last week, as reported by The Athletic. This news came following rumors from last year that Rybakina and her former coach were not on good terms. According to journalist Sofya Tartkova, she had reportedly gone through mental stress due to Vukov. But the Kazakh had refuted such claims. In fact, she stunned everyone a few days back by revealing on Instagram that Vukov “will be the joining the team for 2025 season.”

Interestingly, her current trainer Ivanisevic wasn’t aware of this decision. When asked about the same, and being “blindsided” by her, he said, “Listen, the investigation is still on, so we wait for WTA to finish, and then I can talk about everything.” However, Ivanisevic mentioned a crucial detail about his future as Elena Rybakina’s coach. Citing the ongoing investigation over Vukov, due to the ban, he said, “I am, for the moment, here. What’s going to happen in a couple of days, I don’t know. But for the moment, I am here. Hopefully, I will stay, and hopefully everything is going to be OK. But let’s take day by day.”

While Ivanisevic is waiting for the outcome of Vukov’s case, Rybakina is backing Vukov despite the rumors.

Elena Rybakina strongly defends former coach Stefano Vukov

Rybakina decided to speak up and present a clear picture of the entire situation. “I can only say, and I’ve said it already before, that he never mistreated me, or it was never anything like that,” she said, as reported by Brisbane Times on January 4. “I’m working with Goran, happy the way we work now for a couple of weeks, and I also said that Stefano is rejoining the team because I know the person for six years – and there is a lot of things that we can do outside of the court too,” the Kazakh said.

Back in 2023, during Elena Rybakina‘s Australian Open campaign, former WTA pro Pam Shriver urged her to look for a different coach. In fact, the WTA icon showed displeasure after the World No.6 expressed her wish to have Vukov back. “It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulations of players. This is a very sad situation and my prayers are with ER.” Shriver wrote on X, dated January 1.

Rybakina has, however, displayed complete shock at the growing hate towards Vukov on social media. “Of course, I’m not really happy with the situation,” she said. “I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I (don’t) think it’s fair, but the only thing I can say is he never mistreated me,” she concluded.

Coming back to Ivanisevic, it will be interesting to see whether he stays or leaves, especially after the end of the Australian Open this month. What are your thoughts on Rybakina’s coaching woes? Let us know in the comments below.