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 carried out 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 apply courts at its occasions.
“The WTA is absolutely dedicated to offering a protected and respectful surroundings for all athletes and different contributors, as set out in our WTA Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code,” the tour stated in an announcement. “Any sanctions issued following a breach of those safeguarding guidelines are rigorously thought of and are topic to attraction earlier than an impartial tribunal. Whereas case particulars stay confidential, we will verify that Mr. Vukov is eligible to obtain credentials at WTA occasions.”
The New York Occasions first reported that Vukov’s ban had been lifted.
Rybakina introduced earlier than final 12 months’s U.S. Open that Vukov would now not be her coach, however then stated earlier than the Australian Open that he could be rejoining her staff. 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 dropping to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the eventual champion.