Elena Rybakina has sent shockwaves through the tennis world after being spotted training with her controversial coach Stefano Vukov, despite his official WTA ban! The 2022 Wimbledon champion, who has been vocal in her defense of Vukov, was seen practicing at a private club in the United Arab Emirates—far away from the watchful eyes of the WTA but well within the court of public opinion.
The internet erupted when a 13-year-old junior player from the UAE innocently posted training session photos on Instagram. In one of the images, eagle-eyed fans immediately spotted Vukov in the background, confirming that Rybakina is still working with the Croatian coach. Given his one-year ban from WTA tournaments, many were left wondering whether any rules had been broken. But according to regulations, Vukov is only barred from official tournament sites, meaning private training sessions are fair game!
WTA ban and Rybakina’s unwavering loyalty
The WTA’s investigation into Vukov concluded earlier this year, with the governing body refusing to publicly disclose details. However, a report from The Athletic confirmed that the 37-year-old coach had been found guilty of verbal abuse, leading to a strict one-year ban. This means he is not allowed to sit in Rybakina’s player box,…
