"He definitely abused her mentally": Elena Rybakina was 'brainwashed' into defending Stefano Vukov believes Barbara Schett

Barbara Schett spoke quite damningly about the Elena Rybakina and Stefano Vukov case which saw the latter banned for a year amid an investigation by the WTA into Code of Conduct breaches.

Further information unearthed a culture of abuse and harassment supposedly behind the ban as well as that the pair are in a romantic relationship and shared a room during the Australian Open where Vukov was banned from gaining a credential.

Schett who is a former player and now a pundit working for Eurosport spoke to Kicker and said that Vukov in her view subjected her to brainwashing and abused her mentally. As well as that it was right as a result in the case of the WTA to ban him from the sport.

“In my opinion, he subjected Elena to complete brainwashing. You can see how he treats her and how he speaks to her. Things escalated at the 2024 US Open and the team and family tried to remove him. We know that she has major ups and downs mentally, probably because of him. He definitely abused her mentally and that's why I think it's right that he was banned from the WTA," she said as per Kicker.

Read also

Elena Rybakina loses another member of coaching team in aftermath of Stefano Vukov suspension

Given the retort that Rybakina has always defended Vukov, Schett hit back and said that she spoke to Goran Ivanisevic about the topic. The details surrounding which that they are in a relationship and as a result he is trying to sneak back into the fold.

“Because she was brainwashed! I spoke about the subject for a long time with Goran Ivanisevic (Rybakina's former coach, ed.). He said the problem is that they are in a private relationship. Vukov wants to sneak in and get his place on the team back. That is obviously a disaster. He has to get out of her life after everything he has done. I heard in Australia what he shouted from the players' box. That is simply not acceptable. That is why I think it is great that the WTA is protecting its players and has drawn consequences.”

Rybakina also spoke about a lack of support from her colleagues with Schett citing an example in Jelena Dokic who has been open at the abuse at the hands of her father. Playing at the time, Schett said she wouldn't dare get involved.

"The problem is that many players don't dare to say anything because they're afraid of personal consequences. For example, I was incredibly afraid of Jelena Dokic's father. I probably would never have said anything because I thought he would kill me.

Elena Rybakina has been in good form as of late but the elephant in the room remains.

"It was perhaps a little different with Dokic than with Rybakina because she was also beaten, but in your mid-20s you may not yet know what's really going on. Maybe you don't find it as tragic as you do later. But I think that a number of players have already spoken to the WTA about Rybakina and Vukov. It's important that anonymity is preserved because they're simply afraid.”

The message though from Schett is about a culture of going down the road of people sneaking in to get their hands on success and also mixing business with pleasure. But that compared to back in the day, it is on a better road.

“I think we are on the right track as a society. The problem in tennis is that people keep sneaking in and becoming dependent on women in order to get their hands on the big money and success. That will probably always happen. The only question is how you deal with it. That's why it's important to have an intact environment that points out certain things to you.

Read also

WTA Rankings Update: Madison Keys enters top five in career high as Mirra Andreeva breaks top 10

"Of course, it becomes difficult when a relationship starts in your private life, because the women's dependence then increases even more. I saw that with Patty Schnyder, for example. She had no contact with her parents and family for years because of her partner. You wonder how that was possible, because Patty is such an intelligent woman. I personally also had moments with my former boyfriend and coach that I view much more critically from today's perspective. But I believe that things are getting better and better because society is talking more openly about these things.”

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe