Elena Rybakina has responded after the WTA upheld a ban on her coach (Image: Getty)
has broken her silence after the
At the beginning of the year, it emerged that while the WTA investigated a potential breach of the Code of Conduct. The coach denied any wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, the women’s tour confirmed that the investigation had concluded and Vukov’s ban was upheld for an undisclosed length of time.
“The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded,” the governing body of women’s tennis said in a statement.
“Following this process, the suspension remains in place. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.”
The WTA did not disclose the length of the ban. Vukov can appeal the decision.
Rybakina was back in action on Wednesday, beating Rebecca Sramkova at the WTA 1000 event in Doha. Afterwards, she was asked to comment on the WTA’s decision.
The WTA upheld Stefano Vukov’s ban (Image: Getty)
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“Well, I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went. I’m not going to comment much on that any more,” she said.
When asked if she had any plans in place, Rybakina said she wasn’t “going to answer anymore” and asked: “In what way I can react in this situation?”
The world No. 7 also explained what it was like to deal with the investigation and Vukov’s subsequent ban while competing.
“Well, I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I’m thinking only about the way I need to play, so I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent,” she added.
“Definitely it’s not the best time, but as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can.”
Rybakina has been working with Vukov for more than five years. They suddenly split ahead of last year’s US Open in August. But, on New Year’s Day, she announced he would be returning to her team.
While he was provisionally suspended, Vukov was not able to obtain a coach’s credential for any WTA event and this will continue. Tennis Australia followed suit during his recent provisional suspension and refused to issue the Croatian coach with an accreditation for the .
The former champion is now also working with Italian player-turned-coach Davide Sanguinetti. He is said to be in communication with Vukov and previously said the 37-year-old would always be “close” to Rybakina.
Sanguinetti only joined the team ahead of the recent Abu Dhabi Open. Addressing their new partnership, Rybakina said: “I think he’s a very nice person, and for now I’m really happy the way we work the week before Abu Dhabi and the time we spend in Abu Dhabi. He’s very positive and he gives good advice.”