The tension in the WTA locker room is palpable, with the return of Stefano Vukov to Elena Rybakina’s coaching team sparking heated discussions among players. Croatian star Donna Vekic confirmed that the controversial reunion is a hot topic but held back on sharing her full thoughts, leaving it to the WTA to handle the matter.
The 37-year-old Vukov’s return to Rybakina’s team comes five months after their mysterious split, during which their five-year collaboration abruptly ended. Shortly after Rybakina announced his return, reports emerged that Vukov was under investigation by the WTA for alleged breaches of conduct, and he has reportedly been banned from coaching on the Tour.
“It’s Being Talked About,” Says Vekic
When questioned about the situation at the Australian Open, Vekic confirmed the locker room buzz.
“It’s being talked about, of course. It’s a very sensitive topic. I wouldn’t want to interfere too much,” she told Sport Klub.
She added that the WTA’s investigation is still ongoing and expressed hope that the matter would soon be resolved.
“We will know their decision soon. So, we’ll see what happens,” she concluded.
Pam Shriver Criticizes Rybakina’s Move, Sparks Response
Among the harshest critics of Vukov’s return is 1976 US Open finalist Pam Shriver, who has been vocal about alleged abusive behavior in professional tennis. Following Rybakina’s announcement, Shriver took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the move:
“It’s time for our entire sport to finally stand up to known abuse and cult-like manipulations of players. This is a very sad situation, and my prayers are with ER.”
Vekic, seemingly aligning with Shriver’s stance, shared the post on her own social media accounts.
Rybakina Defends Her Decision
Rybakina, currently ranked world No. 6, defended her choice to reinstate Vukov, stating that he never mistreated her and that any complaints against him were made by others. She also fired back at Shriver during her pre-tournament press conference, questioning the legitimacy of the former player’s comments.
“I don’t know her personally. She never came to me, never talked with me. Since she doesn’t know me, I don’t think it’s fair to make any comments like that,” Rybakina asserted.
Investigation Nearing Conclusion
As the WTA’s investigation into Vukov appears to be nearing its conclusion, players and fans await clarity on the situation. The outcome could set a precedent for how such issues are handled in the future, making this more than just a personal matter between Rybakina and her coach—it’s a moment that could shape the broader culture of women’s tennis.