Coaches play a crucial role in an athlete’s life, providing them with technical guidance and even personal support. But sometimes, the lines blur. The coach-player relationship can become complicated, and in some cases, even toxic. Several players have had difficult relationships with their coaches, including Pam Shriver and Jelena Dokic. However, the most prominent case right now is Elena Rybakina’s. Now, a former WTA player has shed light on the situation, and her revelation is deeply concerning.Rybakina and Vukov had a successful partnership that saw her lift the Wimbledon trophy in 2022. But in 2024, things took a turn. After the US Open, Rybakina parted ways with Vukov, following allegations of verbal and psychological abuse. Soon after, the WTA provisionally suspended him. His ban was later upheld, barring him from coaching in an official capacity for a year. Despite the controversy, the Kazakh star re-hired Vukov at the beginning of 2025. The decision sparked backlash, as he remained banned from attending tournaments. Even so, Rybakina has consistently defended him, refusing to distance herself from the coach at the center of it all.Former WTA player Barbara Schett recently spoke about the issue, comparing it to past cases of abuse in tennis. In an interview with Kicker, she revealed just how serious the situation could be.“The problem is that many players don’t dare to say anything because they’re afraid of personal consequences,” Schett said. “For example, I was incredibly afraid of Jelena Dokic’s father. I probably would never have said anything because I thought he would kill me.” Barbara Schett says she’s spoken to Goran Ivanisevic about Elena Rybakina & Stefano Vukov’s situation & she believes WTA made the right decision to ban Vukov“Another major issue is the suspension of Stefano Vukov, who is said to have caused psychological and physical problems… pic.twitter.com/cJ6w2RUvAc— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 25, 2025Dokic’s story remains one of the most disturbing in tennis history. Coached by her father, Damir Dokic, she endured years of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. The warning signs were there early. In 1999, she stunned the tennis world by upsetting world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon, but behind the scenes, her father’s violent outbursts were spiraling out of control.Damir was notorious for his disruptive behavior, leading to bans from tournaments and major controversies. In her 2017 autobiography ‘Unbreakable,’ Dokic detailed the horrific abuse she suffered, including being kicked unconscious. In 2009, Damir was even sentenced to prison after threatening the Australian ambassador.Schett, however, doesn’t see a complete resemblance between Rybakina’s and Dokic’s situation. “It was perhaps a little different with Dokic than with Rybakina because she was also beaten, but in your mid-20s you may not yet know what’s really going on. Maybe you don’t find it as tragic as you do later. But I think that a number of players have already spoken to the WTA about Rybakina and Vukov. It’s important that anonymity is preserved because they’re simply afraid.”Schett also revealed what Rybakina’s previous coach Goran Ivanisevic told her about the situation.Goran Ivanisevic reveals his feelings on Elena Rybakina’s coaching dramaElena Rybakina’s coaching turmoil isn’t limited to Vukov. In late 2024, she hired Goran Ivanisevic, hoping for a fresh start. But their partnership barely lasted a few months. After the 2025 Australian Open, Ivanisevic parted ways with Rybakina wishing her success after their “trial” partnership.Schett, who discussed the situation with Ivanisevic, shared his alarming take. “I spoke about the subject for a long time with Goran Ivanisevic,” she told Kicker. “He said the problem is that they are in a private relationship. Vukov 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.”If that wasn’t enough, Rybakina’s longtime fitness coach, Azuz Simcich, has also left. The fallout from her decision to keep Vukov around is growing, and it’s starting to affect her entire team. For now, Rybakina remains firm in her stance. But will she reconsider her decision?The post ‘Thought He Would Kill Me’ – Elena Rybakina’s Coaching Saga Sparks Ex-Pro to Compare Aussie Star’s Toxic Past With Father appeared first on EssentiallySports.