Elena Rybakina has made big moves ahead of the 2025 season after agreeing to hire Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach.
Ivanisevic is excited to work with Rybakina in the near future, with both players having won the title at Wimbledon.
Rybakina lifted the trophy in 2022 with her win over Ons Jabeur, with Ivanisevic beating Pat Rafter at the 2001 event.
Making the Croat’s victory in London even more special was the fact he clinched the title as a wildcard, having been ranked 125th in the world.
Rybakina meanwhile followed her Wimbledon final appearance by making the final of the 2023 Australian Open, although this time she lost out to Aryna Sabalenka.
Goran Ivanisevic says what he’s heard about Elena Rybakina
The duo are set to go head-to-head once more this week at the WTA Finals, although their match is of very little significance.
With two wins from two, Sabalenka is already through as group leader, while Rybakina cannot progress after two defeats.
READ MORE: WTA Finals 2024: How to watch, prize money, dates, prediction and everything you need to know
But Ivanisevic is rightly excited to get to work with the world number five for the new season, telling Tennis Majors: “I don’t know her too well personally, but my friend Zule is her fitness coach – we worked together with Tomas Berdych – and the word around the Tour generally is that she is a great person.
“Game-wise, she has got a big serve, tall, strong hitter who plays aggressively, she won Wimbledon just like me. I feel I can teach her something. I mean, she is already No 5 in the world, but I think she can win more Slams, that’s for sure.”
Andy Roddick surprised by Elena Rybakina and Goran Ivanisevic partnership
The WTA Finals look to have come slightly too soon for the 25-year-old after she made a comeback from injury.
She has lost to Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng in Riyadh, and will already be making preparations for the new season.
And her new coach Ivanisevic will have a huge role to play in getting Rybakina back to her best, with the former boasting plenty of experience from his work on the ATP Tour.
READ MORE: Boris Becker reacts to Goran Ivanisevic becoming Elena Rybakina’s new coach
Along with a five-year spell coaching Novak Djokovic, he has worked with Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic.
Ivanisevic’s link-up with Rybakina has surprised Andy Roddick, but plenty of hard work in the coming months could result in the WTA Tour star clinching a second Grand Slam title.
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