Wimbledon champion had ‘more than 100 calls from her coach and requested security’ after firing him – as more details emerge over trainer’s ban

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina was reportedly bombarded by ‘more than 100 calls’ from her coach Stefano Vukov after firing him before the US Open last year, a new report has claimed.

Vukov was provisionally suspended after allegedly breaching the Women’s Tennis Association’s code of conduct.

An independent investigation followed and the WTA confirmed a ban earlier this month, despite Vukov pleading his innocence and Rybakina denying any mistreatment.

Vukov was reportedly informed on January 31 that he will have to serve a one-year ban from coaching after violating the WTA Tour’s code of conduct.

The 37-year-old Croatian had been reportedly accused of ‘mentally abusing’ Rybakina, making her cry, and harrassing her after being sacked last year.

A new report by The Athletic cited a confidential three-page summary of the investigation sent to Vukov and Rybakina, with WTA chief executive Portia Archer detailing his alleged violations of the code.

Rybakina, pictured at the US Open, announced she had split with Vukov before the tournament

Vukov had reportedly attempted to call Rybakina ‘more than 100 times’ following his dismissal

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, had announced ahead of last year’s US Open that she had split from Vukov, who had coached her from 2019.

‘Hello everyone. After 5 years, Stefano and I are no longer working together, Rybakina wrote on Instagram. ‘I thank him for his work on-court and wish him all the best for the future. Thank you for all your support.’

The report alleges Vukov attempted to convince Rybakina to take him back as a coach and refused to leave the 25-year-old’s hotel until he had spoken with her.

Vukov is claimed to have tried to call Rybakina’s phone more than 100 times and sent her numerous text messages.

One of the world number seven’s representatives reportedly confronted Vukov, stating that they had been asked by the star to procure security to remove him from the hotel.

Rybakina went on to compete at the US Open, but withdrew from her second round match citing injuries.

The WTA’s letter to the Vukov also alleged the coach had branded the world No 7 ‘stupid and ‘retarded’ and said that she would ‘still be in Russia picking potatoes’ without him.

The governing body cited a letter from Rybakina’s mother to Vukov requesting he not make her daughter cry, which allegedly led to the Croatian refusing to coach her at an event.

The Croatian coach denied any abuse after a WTA letter reportedly accused him of doing so

Rybakina, 25, employed Vukov, 37, as her coach for five years, rising from outside the top 100 to being Wimbledon champion 

Both denied any wrongdoing and were said to be in a romantic relationship (pictured after Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon final win)

The WTA, according to the report, claimed Vukov’s ‘mental abuse’ of Rybakina had manifested as ‘a physical illness or other symptoms’. 

Rybakina withdrew from several events during the 2024 season citing illness. 

Archer’s letter stated that the pair had a ‘toxic relationship and claimed there was increasing evidence of a romantic relationship after they stayed in the same hotel room in Melbourne during last month’s Australian Open, despite his provisional suspension prohibiting contact. 

Rybakina had announced the hiring of Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach in November, but confirmed on January 1 that Vukov would rejoin the team.

Ivanisevic confirmed he and Rybakina had split following a ‘trial period’ after the Australian Open, with the Croatian reportedly having been ‘blindsided’ by Vukov’s return. 

Despite the WTA announcing Vukov’s ban, Rybakina has gone public with her opposition to the punishment and insisted he has ‘never mistreated me’.

Rybakina has publicly opposed Vukov’s ban and insisted the Croatian ‘never mistreated me’

Rybakina has stated she is ‘disappointed’ in the in the way the case has been handled

Speaking on Tuesday after her win over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in Dubai, Rybakina said ‘Well, it’s not easy of course. As I said in previous press conferences, it’s very disappointed the way it’s been handled, just the outcome.

‘But anyway, I need to focus on my tournament. It’s what I’m trying to do. Yeah, hopefully I can just keep on playing, keep on winning.’

Last month Vukov told The Athletic he ‘Definitely never abused anyone’, and is reportedly considering appealing against the decision ahead of a February 21 deadline.

Vukov has reportedly arranged for Italy’s Davide Sanguinetti to coach Rybakina at WTA events during his suspension.