The coach of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has been cleared by the WTA Tour to return from his suspension for a potential breach of its code of conduct.
Stefano Vukov was provisionally suspended in January while the tour conducted an investigation. It announced in February that had been completed and that the ban remained in place, without saying how long it would last.
The organization said Friday that Vukov would again be permitted to receive credentials allowing him access to player areas and practice courts at its events.
“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,” the tour said in a statement. “Any sanctions issued following a breach of these safeguarding rules are carefully considered and are subject to appeal before an independent tribunal. While case details remain confidential, we can confirm that Mr. Vukov is eligible to receive credentials at WTA events.”
The New York Times first reported that Vukov's ban had been lifted.
Rybakina announced before last year's U.S. Open that Vukov would no longer be her coach, but then said before the Australian Open that he would be rejoining her team. She insisted that he had never mistreated her during their time working together.
Rybakina, ranked No. 10 on the WTA Tour, just reached the semifinals of the National Bank Open in Montreal before losing to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the eventual champion.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return to Victoria Mboko of Canada during semifinal tennis action at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Unable to wrap your hands around the season’s hottest gift?
The Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles feel your pain.
Three turnovers on a single play Monday night unfolded like a white elephant gift exchange.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the night with four interceptions and a fumble, including a pick that ended the Chargers' 22-19 victory in overtime.
A wild scenario in the second quarter typified Philadelphia's frustration.
The Eagles had the ball before the Chargers plucked it away. The Eagles got it right back, before the Chargers yanked it away again.
From the time Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts let go of his pass with 8:28 remaining in the first half, until the ball stopped rolling, it was among the wildest 9 seconds of the season.
Hurts’ second-quarter pass to A.J. Brown was intercepted by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. Hand fumbled at the 24-yard line when he was hit by the Eagles’ Will Shipley. Hurts had the ball return to his hands at the 33 but he fumbled it when he was hit by the Chargers’ Jamaree Caldwell.
Only the Chargers’ Troy Dye was able to secure the ball tightly when he jumped on it at the 43-yard line.
“It was amazing. You just can’t script that," Hand said of his first career interception in eight NFL seasons. “It’s great football. That’s the moment you think about as a little kid.”
Hurts made history, becoming the only NFL player ever to throw an interception, recover a fumble and lose a fumble on the same play. Adding to the oddity was that the Eagles entered with just eight giveaways all season, tied for the best in the NFL.
“As frustrating as the night was, we had an opportunity to win the game in the end,” Hurts said, when asked specifically about the wild second-quarter play. “I had the ball in my hands, driving down, having everything on our terms. And I didn’t bring it home.”
The Chargers cashed in the madness with a field goal to take a 10-3 lead with 4:55 remaining in the second quarter. But the giveaway game was far from complete.
The three-turnover play was merely part of a stretch when the teams had five turnovers in a span of 11 plays after Hurts was intercepted on the Eagles’ next possession and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled the ball away one play later.
“That one stings,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. “At the end of the day we had some turnovers in this game, which is uncharacteristic of us."
The gift giving continued.
In the end there were eight total turnovers from both teams on the night. The Chargers’ Tony Jefferson delivered the final one in overtime when he intercepted Hurts' pass at the 1-yard line.
“I didn’t play well,” Hurts said. “Too many turnovers. Lots of opportunities, especially when we get on the other side of the 50. But I wasn’t able to get us in the box.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Byron Young (94) recovers a fumble by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) runs back with an intercepted pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree' Jackson (8) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson (2) during overtime of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) rolls out during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
