In the sun-drenched courts of a private tennis club, far from the prying eyes of the WTA Tour, a storm of controversy swirls around Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. On March 25, 2025, the tennis world buzzed with shock and speculation as images surfaced of the world No. 8 training alongside Stefano Vukov, her former coach who was banned from the sport for a year due to allegations of misconduct. The sighting, reportedly at a discreet facility in the UAE, has reignited debates about Rybakina’s choices, the boundaries of WTA regulations, and the murky dynamics of her relationship with Vukov—a partnership that once propelled her to Grand Slam glory but now casts a shadow over her career.
The saga began years ago, when Rybakina, then a rising star outside the top 100, teamed up with Vukov in 2019. Under his guidance, she transformed into a powerhouse, clinching Wimbledon in 2022 and reaching the Australian Open final in 2023. His intense coaching style—marked by constant dialogue, critiques, and a fiery presence in her box—drew both praise and scrutiny. By August 2024, their five-year collaboration abruptly ended, just days before the US Open, amid whispers of tension. Yet, in a twist that stunned the tennis community, Rybakina announced on New Year’s Day 2025 that Vukov would return to her team alongside Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion who’d briefly taken the helm. “I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” she declared, her words sparking a firestorm of reactions.
That firestorm intensified when the WTA upheld a one-year ban on Vukov in February, following an investigation into his behavior. The governing body found he’d breached its Code of Conduct, with allegations ranging from verbal harassment—reportedly calling Rybakina “stupid” and “retarded” during training—to a troubling pattern of mental pressure that left her reeling. After their split, he allegedly bombarded her with over 100 calls and texts, even showing up uninvited at her hotel during the US Open, prompting her to request security. A letter from her mother to Vukov, pleading with him not to make her daughter cry, painted a picture of distress that contrasted sharply with Rybakina’s public stance. “I have never made any complaints,” she insisted at the Australian Open, her voice firm yet weary. “I always said that he never mistreated me.”
Now, the sight of them together at a private club—beyond the WTA’s jurisdiction—has fans and insiders questioning her autonomy. The ban bars Vukov from receiving credentials or accessing tournament facilities, effectively sidelining him from her official matches. Yet, in this loophole-laden setting, they appeared at ease, strategizing for the clay season ahead. Rybakina, fresh off an early exit at the Miami Open against Ashlyn Krueger, seems determined to maintain their bond, even as it draws ire. “I don’t agree with a lot of things the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano,” she said earlier this year, her frustration palpable. For her, Vukov isn’t just a coach—he’s a six-year confidant who knows her game and her spirit inside out.
The tennis world, however, isn’t so sure. Observers recall his aggressive demeanor during matches, a stark contrast to Rybakina’s stoic calm. Some argue his influence fueled her rise—her icy precision on court a product of his relentless push. Others see a darker thread, pointing to reports of a “toxic” dynamic that may have contributed to her insomnia and withdrawals in 2024. The WTA’s chief executive described their connection as one of dependence, a claim bolstered by rumors of a romantic entanglement, with the pair allegedly sharing a hotel room in Melbourne. Rybakina’s isolation has grown palpable; she recently lamented that none of her peers supported her amid the ban, leaving her adrift in a sport she once dominated.
Her coaching carousel adds another layer of intrigue. Ivanisevic, blindsided by Vukov’s return, quit after the Australian Open, citing the chaos as untenable. Now, Davide Sanguinetti steers her on-court efforts, but he openly communicates with Vukov, blurring the lines of influence. As Rybakina prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup and the clay swing, the images from the UAE club—a young player’s casual snapshot revealing Vukov’s presence—have split opinions. Some fans decry her loyalty to an “abuser,” vowing to abandon their support; others shrug, noting that private training sidesteps WTA rules without breaking them.
At 25, Rybakina stands at a crossroads. Her talent remains undeniable—her serve a weapon, her composure a shield—but this controversy threatens to overshadow her legacy. Will she emerge stronger, proving her doubters wrong with Vukov’s shadow at her side? Or will the weight of this saga drag her down, a cautionary tale of loyalty misplaced? As the clay courts beckon, the tennis world watches, torn between admiration for her defiance and concern for the cost she might yet pay.
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