Rybakina, once again asked about Stefano Vukov: "I've always said that he never mistreated me".

Elena Rybakina kicks off the Australian Open as No.6 seed and with the hope that her new partnership with Goran Ivanisevic will help her to win another Grand Slam title.

But the recent controversy surrounding her ex-coach Stefano Vukov, suspended by the WTA, is at the heart of the discussions.

Questioned on this subject at a press conference, the Kazakh reiterated the comments she made a few days ago: "I don't really want to talk about what's going to happen next. As I said, I don't agree with a lot of things.

In the sense of what the WTA is doing about my relationship with Stefano.

I've never lodged any complaints or anything like that. I've always said that he never mistreated me.

I'm not happy about this situation. Especially when other coaches make comments.

When people who aren't close to the tennis world see the comments and make an even bigger show of it. I don't think it's fair."

Also asked about the comments made by Pam Shriver, a former player who was the victim of an inappropriate relationship with her coach, Rybakina was very direct: "I don't know her personally. She's never come to see me. She's never spoken to me.

I know her story. It's sad, but that doesn't mean other players are facing the same problems.

I don't know her and she doesn't know me. I don't think it's fair to make comments like that, especially when you're a coach, commentator and journalist."