Former Grand Slam semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe says she can be “surprised” if Goran Ivanisevic sat in Elena Rybakina’s field on the Australian Open after every little thing that occurred within the final couple of days.
This week, the Kazakh tennis star introduced that she was re-hiring Stefano Vukov for 2025.
However then, The Athletic reported that the 37-year-old coach is presently banned as a result of the WTA is investigating him for a attainable breach of their conduct – which implies he’s nonetheless not allowed to formally coach.
Addressing the report, Rybakina strongly defended her coach, saying he “never mistreated” her.
“I’m sorry, but where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire,” Vandeweghe mentioned on Tennis Channel Reside, earlier than including that the WTA in all probability had the rationale to impose a ban.
Vandweghe would not count on Ivanisevic to proceed with Rybakina
The Athletic additionally reported that Novak Djokovic’s former coach was “blindsided” when he heard that the Kazakh was set to carry again Vukov.
And the 2017 Australian Open semifinalist sees the writing on the wall.
“I’d be surprised if we see Goran at AO. I think this kind of movement going on the coaching carousel that is Elena’s team, I wouldn’t want to be the new coach that’s supposed to be the new coach for Elena and bringing in an old voice again,” Vandeweghe explained.
“That means you don’t trust me enough to make you better, put you in that next step forward, which is what Elena was looking for.”
Elena Rybakina and Goran Ivanisevic© Goran Ivanisevic/Instagram – Honest Use
“I’m not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people who are on the tour. It’s active coaches, commentators. I don’t think that it’s fair,” the 25-year-old mentioned.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see what occurs with Rybakina’s workforce within the upcoming interval.
