The WTA confirmed on Friday that Stefano Vukov, coach of 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, is eligible to receive credentials allowing him access to player areas and practice courts at its events.

Vukov was provisionally suspended in January while the tour conducted an investigation. In February the WTA said the investigation had been completed and that the ban remained in place, without disclosing how long it would last.

In a statement the tour reiterated its safeguarding priorities: “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 statement added: “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 US 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.

The WTA decision restores Vukov’s ability to attend events in an official capacity and to accompany players in designated areas and on practice courts while the details of the underlying case remain confidential and subject to the tour’s appeals processes.

Jannik Sinner has publicly addressed the return of Umberto Ferrara to his team, a decision made more than a year after the fitness trainer was dismissed following positive doping tests in 2024. Just over a week after securing his Wimbledon title in July 2025, Sinner’s camp confirmed Ferrara’s reinstatement as part of preparations for the Cincinnati Open and US Open.

“The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik’s management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open,” said a statement from Sinner’s team. The return underscores a focus on continuity and sustaining performance at the highest level, acknowledging Ferrara’s previous important contributions to Sinner’s development.

Ferrara was initially dismissed along with physiotherapist Ulises Badio shortly before the 2024 US Open after Sinner tested positive twice for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024 at the Indian Wells Masters. Although an independent tribunal under The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” he later served a ban from February to May 2024 following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In his press conference at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, Sinner refrained from detailed comments on rehiring Ferrara, saying, “Yeah, I think we said it all, everything in the statement. I’m very happy to be here and play again this tournament.”

Reflecting on his 2024 personnel changes, Sinner said, “I want to start with [saying] that they have been a huge part of my career. We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me. Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them.”

The doping violation report attributed responsibility to Ferrara and Naldi, noting Ferrara had provided Naldi with trofodermin, a spray containing clostebol used to treat a cut on Naldi’s hand. It was alleged that Naldi subsequently contaminated Sinner during treatment, as he had massaged Sinner without gloves after applying the spray. Ferrara warned Naldi about the substance’s prohibited status but was reportedly aware that gloves were not typically used in Sinner’s treatments.

Ferrara originally joined Sinner’s team in 2022 and played a key role in his early career achievements. The decision to reintegrate him appears aimed at restoring team stability amid ongoing competitive challenges.

Rick Macci, former coach of tennis legend Venus Williams, recently shared insights on her ongoing presence in professional tennis. Williams, at 45 years old, made a notable return at the WTA 500 event in Washington last month, securing a victory over Peyton Stearns with a 6-3, 6-4 scoreline. This win marked her first match victory in 16 months and her first since the 2023 Cincinnati Open. Macci, who coached Venus from age 11 to 15 and also worked with her sister Serena, emphasized that Venus continues playing simply because she loves the sport.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1, became the second-oldest woman to win a WTA Tour match, following Martina Navratilova’s record at age 47. Competing as a wildcard, she later lost in the second round to fifth seed Magdalena Frech. In doubles, she and partner Hailey Baptiste reached the quarter-finals at the Citi DC Open, falling to eventual champions Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.

Ranked 643rd after her Washington victory, Williams has received a wildcard entry to the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where she will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Reflecting on her unique career path, Macci said, “She just loves to play. I saw the same smile and enthusiasm. She won that match [against Stearns], she’s bouncing up and down like a human pogo stick. The same exact thing I saw at age 14, it was identical.”

Macci respects Venus’s autonomy in deciding to keep competing, stating, “When people wanna retire or whatever, that’s their decision. And whatever is their decision, in my opinion, is the best decision.” Regarding her longevity in the sport, he added, “I think as long as she’s enjoying it… she’s not gonna win the tournament and she’s not doing it for any other reason except she loves to compete.”

Venus Williams remains a beloved figure in tennis, and Macci believes her continued participation is beneficial for the sport. “People love Venus, it’s that simple… as long as she loves it and she wants to do it, I think it’s great for the game of tennis.”