Jon Wertheim described the entire Elena Rybakina-Stefano Vukov situation as “a messy business” as the tennis insider highlights that the Kazakh is a grown woman and can do whatever she wants with her life but also suggests that she shouldn’t tolerate some things.
In case you missed it, the WTA upheld the ban of the 25-year-old’s coach after investigating him for potentially breaching the conduct policy.
But while the WTA refused to publicly share its findings, The Athletic issued a lengthy report, in which they revealed what went down behind the scenes.
To keep it short, the investigation found out that Rybakina was verbally abused – Vukov apparently tried to contact her even after he was provisionally banned in August – and they allegedly also stayed in the same hotel room during the Australian Open, which indicated that there is a romantic relationship between the two going on.
Also, the report revealed that the 37-year-old was slapped with a one-year ban from coaching.
Wertheim, who is well-known within the tennis circles, was a guest on Andy Roddick’s podcast when the two decided to address the matter.
Jon Wertheim© Served with Andy Roddick/YouTube
Wertheim: Rybakina can sleep with whoever she wants, but read that report…
“There was this provisional suspension, now it’s been converted into what I’ve been told is a year suspension,” the tennis insider said on the Served with And Roddick.
“It’s really messy business, especially because, as you referenced, there does seem to be a personal relationship that had long been rumored.
“She’s a grown woman, she has agency, she has choice, she can hire whoever she wants, she can sleep with whoever she wants.
“But read that report. I would urge people to read the reporting of Matt Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare. It’s really disturbing.
“This is not just, ‘Hey, the coach got in her face, and every coach is different.’ This really crossed the line.”
After making his point clear, Wertheim also appeared to suggest that it is a problem that everyone sees what is happening besides Rybakina.
“I just think it’s a little bit problematic that the player herself does not seem to be on board with this—quite the contrary,” the insider added.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Wimbledon champion didn’t say much about the Vukov ban, instead just repeated that she was “never mistreated.”
Tennis World USA