Elena Rybakina breaks silence on Stefano Vukov winning appeal against WTA ban

Elena Rybakina isn’t hiding her happiness over Stefano Vukov officially being cleared to return to her coaching staff as the world No. 10 says it is “great to have the whole team” again.

After ditching Vukov just before last year’s US Open, the Kazakh tennis star decided to get back to working with Vukov at the start of 2025. However, there was one issue since the WTA revealed that there had been an ongoing investigation into the Croatian coach’s behavior. In February, he was banned from coaching for a year – which meant that he wasn’t allowed to access locker rooms, practice courts, or sit in a player box. 

But Vukov refused to sit silently – and after appealing the WTA’s ban – he won his case and rejoined Rybakina’s team at the Cincinnati Open. And that is already having a positive impact on the Kazakh, who is through to the semifinal after ousting top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-1 6-4.

“It’s great that he’s here in the box, finally, so it’s a good thing. It’s always a help when the whole team is here with me,” the 26-year-old said. 

Rybakina comments on the Iga Swiatek challenge in Cincinnati

After beating Sabalenka, Rybakina will have to beat another major name if she wants to continue her Cincinnati run since she plays reigning Wimbledon champion Swiatek next. When they meet, it will be their fourth clash in 2025 – the Pole won each of their past three meetings and overall leads their head-to-head 5-4.

“Well, she’s a great player, so of course it’s going to be a difficult match. I will try to focus on myself and try to recover as well. So, yeah, hopefully I can show a good tennis [match] and thanks again for coming,” Rybakina said of facing Swiatek. 

The Kazakh may have lost to Swiatek three times this year, but she is now only now playing her best tennis of the year and there is no doubt that the Pole won’t take her for granted.