“Quite a strange story”: Bernarda Pera shares her thoughts on Rybakina-Vukov drama
WTA
Bernarda Pera voiced her opinion on the controversial case involving Elena Rybakina and her former (and now reinstated) coach, Stefano Vukov. The current World No. 78 suffered an early exit at the Australian Open after losing to Tatjana Maria (6-7, 4-6) in the first round and addressed one of the most debated topics on the WTA Tour at the start of the year.
The 30-year-old described the story as "quite strange" and acknowledged she had never personally witnessed any type of mistreatment from a coach.
Coaching drama for Rybakina
World No. 6 Rybakina had a rollercoaster year in 2024. She reached several finals, won three titles, and finished the season with an impressive 42-11 record. However, she also withdrew or retired from multiple tournaments due to back and stomach issues.
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Russian tennis journalist Sonya Tartakova reported that Rybakina faced significant mental stress due to her difficult relationship with Vukov. "Right now, Elena is under a lot of stress; it is something psychosomatic. She is in a chaotic moment, completely disorganised, and unable to play. All these difficulties stem from the tremendous pressure associated with her former coach, Vukov," Tartakova said in September.
"I don’t want to use overly strong words, but let’s say his attitude towards her wasn’t entirely correct," she added. "He ‘ate her up’ all the time, as people close to Elena said. Her parents intervened because she couldn’t break free from this vicious cycle."
Pera discusses Rybakina’s coach scandal
The American anticipated the possible end of her career sooner rather than later, acknowledging she had set no specific goals for 2025. "I have no goals; I feel like I’m slowly nearing the end of my career, so I don’t have big objectives," she admitted.
Pera’s best results include two WTA 250 titles in 2022 (Budapest and Hamburg), both on clay, and her career-best Grand Slam result was reaching the fourth round of the French Open in 2024.
Following her Melbourne exit, Bernarda Pera spoke to Serbian outlet SportKlub, where she shared her perspective on the Rybakina case. "Little is known about the situation. I think they are waiting for the WTA, and I don't think he [Vukov] can enter the tournament. A pretty strange story, in my opinion," she said.
"I don't even know how much I can say and how much I can't. I’ve never been in a situation where I saw him mistreat her, so I can't say what happened, but I’m definitely against any kind of abuse," she added.
Rybakina had parted ways with Vukov in late 2024 and later announced Goran Ivanisevic – Novak Djokovic’s former coach – as his replacement, seemingly putting an end to the Vukov saga. However, shortly before the Australian Open, Rybakina surprised fans by announcing Vukov’s return to her team, despite his provisional WTA suspension while investigations into possible mistreatment continue.
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- Are there not already enough media rags covering these trysts in tennis?
mandoist16-01-2025 - Gauff is somewhat delusional.mandoist16-01-2025
- I, and many, remain concerned about Rybakina's well being. She does not look, nor act, well.mandoist16-01-2025
- That was a hideous display. Condescending Collins is no friend to tennis. She said she was retiring and should follow through. Sooner the better for the sport. BTW: As I read it in the WTA Rulebook 2025, it seems she broke at least two regulations in her post-match childish behavior. BTW: There are reasons she has no sponsors... and she displayed several of those reasons today.mandoist16-01-2025
- Lena still does not look well. If she plays like she did against the 17 year-old American last night, the next will be her last AO match.mandoist16-01-2025
- Ummm... we all watched the match. Anisimova was beating the net to death.mandoist16-01-2025
- Danielle Collins is so ignorant, until it is a shame. That is the reason why she cannot have kids. She doesn't deserve any.crissy12-01-2025
- "Attacked"?? Really?mandoist11-01-2025
- Dior products don't look right in Emma's used Dacia Sanderomandoist11-01-2025
- I hear Vukov will be hiding in a Kangaroo's pocket and pass through security.mandoist10-01-2025
