Elena Rybakina Defends Coach Amid Investigation

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has publicly defended her former coach Stefano Vukov, who is under provisional suspension by the WTA pending an investigation into his conduct. Rybakina insists she has never made any complaints about Vukov, stating, 'I always said that he never mistreated me.' Despite the ongoing investigation, she announced her intention to rehire Vukov, which has raised eyebrows in the tennis community. Rybakina expressed disagreement with the WTA's actions regarding her relationship with Vukov and criticized public comments from others, including former player Pam Shriver. As she prepares for the Australian Open, Rybakina has appointed Goran Ivanisevic as her coach on a trial basis, but has not clarified Vukov's role in her team amidst the investigation. She aims to focus on her matches rather than the controversy surrounding her coaching decisions.