Stefano Vukov, the former coach of top women’s tennis player Elena Rybakina, has been suspended following an independent investigation by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the governing body announced.

Elena Rybakina says she is “disappointed” with the WTA Tour’s decision to ban for her former coach Stefano Vukov following the governing body’s investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct.

Elena Rybakina has confirmed she is working with former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Davide Sanguinetti following her split from Goran Ivanisevic. The world No. 5 was knocked out of the Australian Open in the fourth round during her only Grand Slam alongside Ivanisevic after appointing the Croatian on a trial basis in November.

Elena Rybakina struggled a bit early against 46th-ranked Rebecca Sramkova but ultimately managed to break the Slovak's resistance and get the job done in two sets 7-6 (1) 6-2 in their Doha round-of-16 match. Early in the match, the No. 5 seed opened a 3-0 lead but it didn't take long before the Slovakian tennis player managed to get the break back.

Stefano Vukov should not be allowed “to work with any girl because of his tendency”, according to former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs as she called for a lifetime ban from women’s tennis following the recent WTA findings into his behaviour towards Elena Rybakina.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has stated her displeasure following the WTA Tour’s decision to maintain the ban on her ex-coach, Stefano Vukov. The ban results from a third-party inquiry into his supposed WTA Code of Conduct violation.