In a dramatic turn of events, Stefano Vukov, the longtime coach of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, has had his one-year suspension from the WTA Tour lifted following a successful appeal, allowing him to return to coaching and access player areas at tournaments. The decision, announced on August 8, 2025, marks a significant moment for Rybakina and Vukov, whose professional and personal relationship has been under intense scrutiny since allegations of abusive conduct led to his ban in February. The reinstatement comes just weeks before the US Open, offering Rybakina a chance to reunite with the coach who guided her to her first Grand Slam title, though the controversy surrounding their partnership continues to spark debate.
The saga began in 2024 when concerns about Vukov’s behavior toward Rybakina, the world number 10, surfaced within the tennis community. Reports of verbal abuse, including derogatory remarks like calling Rybakina “stupid” and saying she’d “still be picking potatoes in Russia” without him, prompted the WTA to launch an investigation. The probe, which concluded in February 2025, found Vukov guilty of “abuse of authority and abusive conduct,” resulting in a one-year ban that barred him from obtaining credentials, accessing practice courts, or sitting in Rybakina’s player box at WTA and Grand Slam events. The suspension followed a tumultuous period, including Vukov’s persistent contact with Rybakina after she briefly parted ways with him before the 2024 US Open, raising safety concerns among her team.
Rybakina, however, has steadfastly defended Vukov, insisting their relationship was never harmful. “I said it already before that he never mistreated me or it was never anything like that,” she stated at the United Cup in Sydney in January 2025, expressing frustration with the WTA’s process and public commentary from coaches and analysts. Her loyalty to Vukov, who coached her from outside the top 100 to a career-high ranking of number three, was evident when she announced his return to her team before the Australian Open, despite his provisional suspension. “I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went,” she said after a win at the Qatar Open, emphasizing her focus on her game amid the controversy.
Vukov’s appeal, pursued through private arbitration with the WTA, culminated in a hearing before Wimbledon 2025. The successful appeal, confirmed by the WTA on August 8, allows him to resume coaching duties immediately. “The WTA is fully committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all athletes and other participants,” the WTA stated, noting that sanctions are subject to appeal before an independent tribunal. While details of the arbitration remain confidential, Vukov’s reinstatement has reignited discussions about coach-player dynamics and the WTA’s safeguarding policies. Some fans and commentators, critical of the decision, expressed concern, with one describing it as “disgusting & vile,” arguing that Vukov’s behavior posed a danger to Rybakina.
On the court, Rybakina has shown resilience despite the off-court turmoil. Her 2025 season, though inconsistent, included a title at the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May, her first in over a year, where she thanked Vukov alongside her new coach, Davide Sanguinetti. “We usually train together between tournaments, not when the tournament is on,” Rybakina clarified at the French Open, revealing that Vukov continued to work with her off-site during his suspension. Her fourth-round loss to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros highlighted areas for improvement, but her Strasbourg victory, defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1, signaled a return to form. “This is definitely not the start to the season I used to have before,” she admitted, citing health challenges and the absence of Vukov’s on-site presence.
The lifting of Vukov’s ban comes at a critical juncture as Rybakina prepares for the US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2023. Her collaboration with Vukov, who has been a polarizing figure due to his intense coaching style, has undeniably shaped her career, including her 2022 Wimbledon triumph over Ons Jabeur. Yet, the allegations and subsequent fallout have left some questioning the WTA’s handling of the case. As Rybakina and Vukov reunite, the tennis world watches closely, wondering how their partnership will evolve and whether it can propel her back to Grand Slam glory. For now, Rybakina remains focused on her game, ready to let her racquet—and her reinstated coach—do the talking in New York.
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