While she started a collaboration with Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, a few weeks ago, Elena Rybakina announced to everyone’s surprise the return of her former coach, Stefano Vukov, to her team.
A very surprising announcement which is causing a lot of talk since according to information from The AthleticVukov has just been provisionally suspended by the WTA following an investigation for violation of the circuit’s code of conduct. The media even reports that Goran Ivanisevic would not have appreciated his player’s decision at all.
In this tense context, Rybakina decided to set things straight after her defeat against Iga Swiatek in the United Cup (7−6, 6–4).
“I work with Goran Ivanisevic and these articles came out. I can only say, and I have said this before, that Stefano Vukov never mistreated me or there was never anything like that. And I also remind you that I work with Goran. I am happy with the way we have been working for the past few weeks. Stefano joins the team because I have known him for six years and we can do a lot of things off the field as well. I’m not happy with the comments I see, especially from people who are on the circuit. They are active coaches, commentators. I don’t think that’s fair. The only thing I can say is that he never mistreated me. I respect him for everything he’s done from the very beginning, when I was ranked 200… everything we’ve done, like, I don’t know. You can tell me of other coaches who have had the same success with players who were ranked 200e and who then won a Grand Slam and were at the top. »
Published on Saturday January 4, 2025 at 10:29
Canada
