New Delhi: Elena Rybakina’s erstwhile coach Stefano Vukov had called her over 100 times and sent numerous text messages after he was removed from the job, it has been claimed in a report.
His behaviour forced the former Wimbledon champion to tell her representatives to do “whatever was necessary to keep Vukov away”.
But after his dismissal, the Croat coach went to the New York hotel where Rybakina was lodged in the hope of speaking to her, according to The Athletic.
Vukov’s persistence forced Rybakina’s representatives to confront him and informing to stay away from her. Security personnel were called to remove him from the hotel following which he left the hotel.
World No. 7 Rybakina parted ways with Vukov before the US Open last year but since re-hired him and has disclosed to have remained in regular communication since.
Upon investigation of his behaviour, Vukov was provisionally suspended for breach of WTA’s code of conduct, which was upheld and extended for a year even though he denied wrongdoing.
‘No support’
The 25-year-old has not endorsed the suspension, claiming to have little support from the tennis circuit.
“It’s very disappointing the way it’s been handled, just the outcome,” Rybakina said on Tuesday, as quoted by tennis.com.
“No one offered any support. Honestly don’t need. There is couple players I’m in touch more. But to say that I have very, very close friends on tour, it’s I think not true just because we competing against each other. Everybody’s surrounded by their teams.
“I have a couple of good friends, let’s say. But again, it’s all depends on time, how much you can spend outside or not.”
She is currently competing in the Dubai Open, the city where the Kazakh is based and trains.
“It’s just nice to be in the apartment, go to the places you usually go. For now I’m just doing my routines. Since the tournament is still going, I’m just focusing on my basic daily routines.
“Yeah, I love to go to the beach. Spend some time shopping. But for this you need a bit more energy. So, it’s all depends,” she added.
Elena Rybakina’s former coach Stefano Vukov has been banned for breaching WTA’s code of conduct. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
