Rybakina Defends Suspended Coach, Calls Criticism Unfair [Video]

Rybakina defends Suspended Coach, Calls Criticism “Unfair”

Sydney, Australia – Wimbledon champion WTA Finals 2024 with three titles this year”>Elena Rybakina is standing by her former coach, Stefano Vukov, despite a provisional suspension by the WTA. The governing body is investigating a potential breach of its code of conduct, but Rybakina insists Vukov “never mistreated” her during their years working together.

“The only thing I can say is, he never mistreated me,” Rybakina, 25, told reporters in Sydney on Saturday. “I respect him for everything he did from the very beginning when I was [ranked No.] 200 all the way to what we did.”

Rybakina, who is preparing for the Australian Open wiht current coach Goran Ivanisevic, confirmed that Vukov will be rejoining her team. Though, the suspension means Vukov won’t have access to player-only areas like practice courts and training facilities.

“I’m working with Goran.I’m happy [with] the way we [are] working now for a couple of weeks,” Rybakina said.

She …