"Definitely it's not the best time..": 'Disappointed' Elena Rybakina makes minimal comment about ban handed to former coach Stefano Vukov
WTA
Elena Rybakina made minimal comment when it came to her former coach Stefano Vukov who has been banned from the sport for a year after breaching the WTA's Code of Conduct with his suspension handed down on Tuesday.
Rybakina saw off Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (1), 6-2 on Wednesday in a superb win despite everything that is going on off the court involving Vukov. She spoke as expected afterwards and refused to make a lot of comments about it just that she was disappointed about everything.
“I'm just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went,” Rybakina said post match. “I'm not going to comment much on that any more.”
“I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I'm thinking only about the way I need to play, so I'm concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent. Definitely it's not the best time, but as I said, I'm always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can.”
The WTA released a statement early on Wednesday evening confirming the news: "The WTA confirms that the independent investigation into a potential breach of the WTA Code of Conduct by Stefano Vukov has concluded. Following this process, the suspension remains in place.
"To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct."
But The Athletic ran a piece following that unearthing a culture of abuse and harassment supposedly behind the decision to hand him a ban for a year as well as suspicions levied that Rybakina and Vukov are in a romantic relationship and shared a hotel room in Melbourne.
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