Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion and former Novak Djokovic's coach, will work with another Wimbledon winner, Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh is preparing for the WTA Finals in Riyadh after missing all the action since the US Open withdrawal. Elena confirmed Goran as her new coach, and they will start working together during the off-season.
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Ivanisevic's coaching expeditions
The Croat started his coaching job a decade after ending his career. He worked with Marin Cilic between 2013 and 2016 before joining Tomas Berdych's staff, staying with the Czech until 2017. He worked with Milos Raonic before Novak Djokovic announced him as his new coach in 2019. Two great friends stayed together for nearly five years before parting ways in March this year. Novak and Goran instantly succeeded, winning the 2019 Wimbledon title and adding 23 more trophies to crown their collaboration. Djokovic embraced three year-end no. 1 runs during that time and lifted nine Major trophies, cementing his GOAT status.
New challenge with Rybakina
Ivanisevic will travel to Australia with Rybakina, kicking off the new coaching season and working with a female player for the first time. The 25-year-old Kazakh will seek a fresh start after struggling with injuries this year. Also, she ended her collaboration with Stefano Vukov after eight years, with shocking claims emerging on the surface. The Russian journalist Sonya Tartakova revealed astonishing details, with Vukov placing tremendous psychological stress on Rybakina, harming her mental health and confidence. Elena is now ready for the new chapter of her career with Goran, and we will see the first results of their work at the upcoming Australian Open in January.
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Elena's results in 2024
Rybakina is 41-9 this season ahead of the WTA Finals, lifting three trophies and keeping herself in the top-5. The Kazakh kicked off the season with the Brisbane title, toppling Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She suffered an early Australian Open loss to Anna Blinkova, squandering seven match points and losing an incredible match tie break 22-20! Elena conquered Abu Dhabi before falling to Iga Swiatek in the Doha final a week later. Rybakina missed Indian Wells before reaching the Miami final, losing to Danielle Collins. The Kazakh defeated Swiatek en route to the title in Stuttgart, lifting her third and last trophy of the season. She fell to Sabalenka in the Madrid semi-final thriller before reaching the Roland Garros quarter-final and the Wimbledon semi-final. Elena played only two matches after the All England Club, falling early in Cincinnati and withdrawing ahead of the US Open second round. She is now ready to conclude the season in Riyadh and switch her focus to the new challenges in 2025 under Ivanisevic's guidance.
