Barbara Schett thinks Elena Rybakina has been completely "brainwashed" by Stefano Vukov and the former world No. 7 also reveals that she had a private conversation with Goran Ivanisevic, who shared with her that the two were in a romantic relationship.
After abruptly splitting with Vukov in August and hiring Goran Ivanisevic for 2025, the 2022 Wimbledon champion stunningly announced the return of the 37-year-old to her team just a few days into this year.
And after it was revealed that Novak Djokovic's former coach was left "blindsided" by the move and that the Kazakh did it without previously notifying him about the decision, the story became even weirder.
Then, the WTA also revealed that there was an ongoing investigation into Vukov possibly breaching their conduct policy.
While Rybakina publicly strongly defended the 37-year-old, he was found guilty of being verbally abusive and slapped with a one-year ban from coaching on the Tour.
Meanwhile, Ivanisevic left the 25-year-old's only a day after her Australian Open run ended.
Schett asked why Rybakina has always defended her coach
"Because she was brainwashed!" the former Austrian tennis star told Austrian publication Kicker.
"I spoke about the subject at length with Goran. He said the problem is that they are in a private relationship.
"Stefano 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."
A report from The Athletic also said that there was evident that Rybakina and Vukov were romantically linked since they stayed in the same hotel room in Melbourne.
Now, Schett's comments are only confirming that story.
