Stefano Vukov, the former coach of Elena Rybakina, has had his suspension from coaching and attending professional tennis events lifted after a successful appeal. The WTA provisionally suspended Vukov last year as an investigation into his behaviour commenced before Rybakina parted ways before the US Open began in August.

Shortly after the Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows, the WTA launched its investigation, which concluded after four months. Vukov received the one-year ban on January 31 when he was told the investigation had found “abuse of authority and abusive conduct” towards Rybakina. While suspended, he was denied access to stadiums, practice courts and player accommodations.

The Croat was in Melbourne with Rybakina for this year’s Australian Open but was not permitted to enter the courts or her box.

Vukov, accused of breaching the WTA Tour’s code of conduct, appealed the one-year ban ahead of this summer’s French Open, which has been successful.

A WTA statement read: “The WTA is fully committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all athletes and other participants, as set out in our WTA Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code.

“Any sanctions issued following a breach of these safeguarding rules are carefully considered and are subject to appeal before an independent tribunal.

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“While case details remain confidential, we can confirm that Mr. Vukov is eligible to receive credentials at WTA events. We will not be commenting further.”

According to The Athletic, Vukov entered into private arbitration with the WTA Tour as part of his appeal, which included a hearing before Wimbledon.

In May, after winning the Strasbourg International, Rybakina thanked Vukov during her trophy presentation speech as well as her coach, Davide Sanguinetti.

The Kazakhstani later confirmed that she had been working with Vukov between events, despite his ban from the Tour.

That revelation came as little surprise, given that in February, Sanguinetti told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Vukov and Elena are close, he will always be there. Stefano and I are on the same wavelength.”

In February, Rybakina insisted that she did not agree with the WTA’s decision to suspend Vukov, whom she had rehired after his sacking last year.

Members of the 26-year-old’s team told WTA figures that they feared for her safety after Vukov’s reaction to that dismissal.

He was said to have entered the lobby of Rybakina’s Manhattan hotel and spammed her with calls and messages to make her rehire him.