In a bold move that has tennis fans buzzing, World No. 5 Elena Rybakina has announced her partnership with Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach for the upcoming 2025 season. Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and a seasoned coach with a remarkable record, recently concluded a successful six-year coaching stint with Novak Djokovic, during which he guided the Serbian legend to 12 Grand Slam victories.
Ivanisevic, known for his tenacity and a famously unexpected Wimbledon title win in 2001, brings vast experience and a winning mindset that could be transformative for Rybakina. The Croatian also coached Marin Cilic to a US Open title in 2014, proving his track record of working with top-tier talent.
Rybakina, who claimed her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2022 under the guidance of Stefano Vukov, ended her partnership with Vukov after the recent US Open. Since then, she has been on the lookout for a new coach to help take her game to the next level, and Ivanisevic’s appointment is set to bring fresh strategies and insights.
“I’m thrilled to start this journey with Goran,” Rybakina shared. “Having been with one coach for so long, I’m excited to learn from someone new. Goran’s experience and his unique journey resonate with me. We’ll see what we can achieve together.”
The announcement comes ahead of Rybakina’s appearance at the WTA World Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia, marking her return to the court after withdrawing from her second-round US Open match in August due to a lower back injury. Her anticipated return and this high-profile coaching change signal an ambitious new phase in Rybakina’s career.
With Ivanisevic’s expertise and Rybakina’s powerful game, 2025 could very well be a breakthrough year for the Kazakh star. Fans eagerly await to see how this dynamic pairing will unfold on the global stage.