Elena Rybakina would “still be in Russia picking potatoes,” said Stefano Vukov, according to a three-page letter issued by Portia Archer, the CEO of WTA, to the coach. Of all the professional splits over the last year, Elena Rybakina‘s controversial call-out with ex-coach Stefano Vukov takes the top spot. On Wednesday, February 12, the WTA – the governing body of women’s tennis – indefinitely extended the ban against the Croatian coach following an investigation into his alleged mistreatment of Rybakina.

Some suspect deeper issues, but Rybakina denied all allegations, saying she never complained. With reports constantly fueling new information about the saga, a journalist revealed that the WTA had investigated the issue before reports were filed.

So, Rybakina parted ways with the Croat just days before the 2024 US Open. In a surprise move, she later joined Novak Djokovic‘s former coach Goran Ivanisevic for a trial stint. But their partnership fell apart when Rybakina unexpectedly announced that Vukov would rejoin her coaching team. Shocked, Ivanisevic left the camp after her fourth-round exit at the Australian Open.

On the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, journalist Jon Wertheim revealed that the WTA sent officials to monitorRybakina’s on-court interactions with Vukov to investigate the abuse allegation. “I was told years ago that the WTA sent minders to her matches because they wanted to monitor just how harsh this abuse or this coaching was. An investigation was commenced after the report was made. I was told it was in conjunction with Cincinnati,” he said.

Vukov was also accused of breaking the WTA’s ‘no contact’ rule by constantly reaching out to her, even after they split. During the podcast, American Roddick shared instances of when commentators reported the Croat treating the World No. 7 with borderline verbal abuse during her matches.

Rybakina is caught up in a messy situation and plays a major part in it. She revealed that it was their mutual decision to stay in contact, despite his ongoing suspension.

Elena Rybakina on Stefano Vukov – “He’s an important person in my career”

The findings of the WTA’s investigation of Stefano Vukov’s case are pretty damning. According to reports published by the Athletic, a three-page summary issued to the Croatian coach by the WTA chief executive Porta Archer accuses him of berating Elena Rybakina on multiple occasions and pushing her beyond her limits, which ultimately cost the World No. 7 her health. Regardless, the 25-year-old speaks positively of her ex-coach.

Following her fourth-round win over Rebecca Sramkova en route to the Qatar Open quarterfinal, Rybakina opened up about her shortlived coaching stint with Goran Ivanisevic and also reserved a few words to stress the importance of Vukov in her life.

“We just sat down, we talked, and we decided to go our separate ways. But I think I learned a lot and it’s not easy to find a good collaboration,” Rybakina told  AFP on Ivanisevic. “He’s (Stefano Vukov’s) an important person in my career. We started when I was like 200 (in the world). So it’s a lot of things, on the court, outside of the court, he’s helping out with,” she added.

Despite the concerning updates, Rybakina will look to remain focused on her Qatar Open campaign. She is slated to square off against Polish No. 1 Iga Swiatek for a place in the last four on Thursday, February 13. Let’s hope, Rybakina moves forward with the season, leaving the controversy behind!