Former Grand Slam semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe says she would be “surprised” if Goran Ivanisevic sat in Elena Rybakina’s box at the Australian Open after everything that happened in the last couple of days.
This week, the Kazakh tennis star announced that she was re-hiring Stefano Vukov for 2025.
But then, The Athletic reported that the 37-year-old coach is currently banned because the WTA is investigating him for a possible breach of their conduct – which means he is still not allowed to officially coach.
Addressing the report, Rybakina strongly defended her coach, saying he “never mistreated” her.
“I’m sorry, but where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire,” Vandeweghe said on Tennis Channel Live, before adding that the WTA probably had the reason to impose a ban.
Vandweghe doesn’t expect Ivanisevic to continue with Rybakina
The Athletic also reported that Novak Djokovic’s former coach was “blindsided” when he heard that the Kazakh was set to bring back Vukov.
And the 2017 Australian Open semifinalist sees the writing on the wall.
“I’d be surprised if we see Goran at AO. I think this kind of movement going on the coaching carousel that is Elena’s team, I wouldn’t want to be the new coach that’s supposed to be the new coach for Elena and bringing in an old voice again,” Vandeweghe explained.
“That means you don’t trust me enough to make you better, put you in that next step forward, which is what Elena was looking for.”
Elena Rybakina and Goran Ivanisevic© Goran Ivanisevic/Instagram – Fair Use
Following Saturday’s United Cup loss to Iga Swiatek, Rybakina slammed the media and tennis community members over the Vukov situation.
“I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people who are on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I don’t think that it’s fair,” the 25-year-old said.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Rybakina’s team in the upcoming period.
Tennis World USA