After a startling revelation by Barbara Schett, Elena Rybakina finds herself at the heart of a controversy involving her coach, Stefano Vukov. Schett, a former seventh-ranked professional tennis player, alleges that Rybakina has been utterly “manipulated” by Vukov, a claim she supports by citing a private conversation with Goran Ivanisevic, indicating the two are romantically involved.
The drama unfolded when Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon victor, unexpectedly reinstated Vukov into her coaching team earlier this year, following a separation in August and a brief stint under Ivanisevic’s tutelage planned for 2025. This move took the tennis world by surprise, leaving Ivanisevic, previously Novak Djokovic’s coach, caught off-guard as he claimed to have not been previously informed about this decision, adding an extra layer of mystery to the unfolding saga.
The plot thickens as the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) disclosed an ongoing investigation into potential violations of their conduct policy by Vukov. Rybakina’s staunch public defense of her 37-year-old coach did not deter the authorities from finding him guilty of verbal abuse, earning him a one-year ban from coaching on the Tour.
Ivanisevic, taken aback by the turn of events, parted ways with the 25-year-old Rybakina a day post her Australian Open campaign. Schett, in an interview with Austrian publication Kicker, questioned Rybakina’s unwavering support for her coach. “She was manipulated!” Schett emphatically stated.
Elaborating on her conversation with Ivanisevic, she added, “He indicated they are privately involved. Stefano’s intentions to worm his way back into the team spell disaster. He must remove himself from her life, given his actions.”
Schett also criticized Vukov’s courtside demeanor, citing his comments from the players’ box in Australia as unacceptable. She lauded the WTA for safeguarding its players and taking appropriate action.
A report from The Athletic seems to corroborate the rumored romantic involvement between Rybakina and Vukov, citing that the pair shared a hotel room in Melbourne. These latest remarks by Schett only serve to solidify these speculations.
The story continues to unfold, with the tennis community eagerly awaiting further developments. As the narrative continues to evolve, we are reminded of the complexities that mar the intersection of personal and professional relationships in sports.
