Elena Rybakina cannot work with Stefano Vukov because he breached the WTA Code of Conduct and was handed a one-year suspension. Serena Williams‘ former coach Rennae Stubbs in her latest podcast, revealed that Vukov once tried to take legal action against her for criticizing his behavior toward the Kazakh ace.

Vukov, who as per WTA (from The Athletic‘s report), was involved in a ‘toxic relationship’ with Rybakina, and had subjected the 25-year-old to abuse which ultimately forced her to fire him last year. Despite ending the partnership, he continued to harass her, somehow convincing her to add him to her entourage again.

Stubbs, like many, has seen Vukov yelling at Rybakina and censured him on her podcast years ago. The Australian disclosed she never accused the Croatian coach of abusing Rybakina, only called him out for being ‘very negative’ and for this very reason, he tried to sue her.

Rybakina, following her split with Vukov, re-hired him just before the start of the 2025 season. She was at that time working with Goran Ivanisevic, who reportedly was blindsided by her decision to re-hire Vukov. Ivanisevic left her team following her Australian Open exit.

Andrea Petkovic is worried about Elena Rybakina who, despite WTA’s investigation, kept insisting that Stefano Vukov never mistreated her. The former player from Germany claimed the toxic relationship with Vukov has hindred Rybakina’s decision-making abilities which is prompting her to always come out in defense of the 37-year-old.

The Athletic, which revealed various details that WTA didn’t disclose, reported that Rybakina’s mother, Ekaterina Rybakina, had emailed Vukov to request him not to make her daughter cry again. Rybakina also had 100 missed calls and several texts from Vukov when she had decided to split with him last year.

Rybakina is in Dubai for the season’s second WTA 1000 tournament. After her win over Paula Badosa in the third round where she also saved six match points, Rybakina scheduled a quarterfinal clash with Sofia Kenin.