Elena Rybakina has begun her Cincinnati Open campaign with a familiar face in her corner, as coach Stefano Vukov was spotted at the tournament for the first time since the WTA lifted his suspension.<\/p>\n
Elena Rybakina\u2019s Coach Stefano Vukov Returns to Tournament Grounds After Ban Lifted<\/p>\n
The ninth-seeded Rybakina is joined by both Vukov and coach Davide Sanguinetti in Cincinnati. Sanguinetti was brought in during February, replacing Goran Ivani\u0161evi\u0107.<\/p>\n
Stefano Vukov is now eligible to receive credentials at WTA events after successfully appealing his one-year suspension for breaching the tour\u2019s code of conduct. The WTA recently confirmed that Vukov could access player areas and practice courts<\/a>, marking his first official presence at a sanctioned tournament since his provisional suspension in January.<\/p>\n Elena Rybakina getting ready for her opening match in Cincinnati with Stefano Vukov and David Sanguinetti.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/UhvIuyKbFk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Vukov was banned following allegations of \u201cabuse of authority and abusive conduct\u201d towards Rybakina, with reports that he called her \u201cstupid\u201d and told her she would \u201cstill be picking potatoes\u201d in Russia without his support. However, the Croat contested the suspension through private arbitration, with hearings taking place before Wimbledon earlier this year.<\/p>\n While Vukov was absent, Sanguinetti outlined ambitious plans for his partnership with Rybakina, aiming to guide the Kazakh to a sixth-ranked finish in the rankings this year and reach World No. 1 in 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stefano Vukov has returned to Elena Rybakina\u2019s coaching box after the \u2014 Chewy Veetton (@bebem00m00) August 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
WTA lifted his suspension\u2026 #CincyTennis<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vPuVSMaPx7<\/a><\/p>\n