Kicker Interview

Doping, abuse and financial worries: Schett on the state of tennis

— Another major issue is the suspension of Stefano Vukov, who is said to have caused psychological and physical problems in his protégé Elena Rybakina with his harsh methods. How did you feel about this case?

In my opinion, he subjected Elena to complete brainwashing. You can see how he treats her and how he speaks to her. Things escalated at the 2024 US Open and the team and family tried to remove him. We know that she has major ups and downs mentally, probably because of him. He definitely abused her mentally and that's why I think it's right that he was banned from the WTA.

— Rybakina herself has always defended Vukov.

Because she was brainwashed! I spoke about the subject for a long time with Goran Ivanisevic (Rybakina's former coach, ed.). 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.

— Rybakina recently criticized the lack of support from her colleagues. How would you have dealt with this case as an outsider during your active time?

The problem is that many players don't dare to say anything because they're afraid of personal consequences. For example, I was incredibly afraid of Jelena Dokic's father. I would probably never have said anything because I thought he would kill me. 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 is really going on. Perhaps you don't find it as tragic as you do later. But I believe that a number of players have already spoken to the WTA about Rybakina and Vukov. It is important that anonymity is maintained because they are simply afraid. And I am also curious to see what happens to Leylah Fernandez's father because the way he treats his daughter is insane... It is terrible that something like this still exists today and is sometimes accepted.

— What all these cases seem to have in common is that there is a certain dependency relationship.

Yes, exactly. I also noticed this with a few players during my playing days. People knew then that these relationships were wrong. But nowadays, when people talk about these things much more openly and society is much more receptive, it is even more unacceptable.

— How far do we still have to go as a society to ensure that such cases no longer have any place?

I think we are on the right track as a society. The problem in tennis is that people keep sneaking in and becoming dependent on women in order to get their hands on the big money and success. That will probably always happen. The only question is how you deal with it. That's why it's important to have an intact environment that points out certain things to you. Of course, it becomes difficult when a relationship starts in your private life, because the women's dependence then increases even more.

I saw that with Patty Schnyder, for example. She had no contact with her parents and family for years because of her partner. You wonder how that was possible, because Patty is such an intelligent woman. I personally also had moments with my former boyfriend and coach that I view much more critically from today's perspective. But I believe that things are getting better and better because society is talking more openly about these things.