The coach of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has been cleared by the WTA Tour to return from his suspension for a possible breach of its code of conduct.
Stefano Vukov was provisionally suspended in January whereas the tour performed an investigation. It introduced in February that had been accomplished and that the ban remained in place, with out saying how lengthy it could final.
The group stated Friday that Vukov would once more be permitted to obtain credentials permitting him entry to participant areas and observe courts at its occasions.
“The WTA is absolutely dedicated to offering a protected and respectful setting for all athletes and different contributors, as set out in our WTA Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code,” the tour stated in a press release. “Any sanctions issued following a breach of those safeguarding guidelines are rigorously thought of and are topic to enchantment earlier than an unbiased tribunal. Whereas case particulars stay confidential, we will verify that Mr. Vukov is eligible to obtain credentials at WTA occasions.”
The New York Instances first reported that Vukov’s ban had been lifted.
Rybakina introduced earlier than final yr’s U.S. Open that Vukov would now not be her coach, however then stated earlier than the Australian Open that he can be rejoining her workforce. She insisted that he had by no means mistreated her throughout their time working collectively.
Rybakina, ranked No. 10 on the WTA Tour, simply reached the semifinals of the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal earlier than shedding to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the eventual champion.