Elena Rybakina returned to the Tour with an opening defeat to Jasmine Paolini at the WTA Finals.
The Russian came into the WTA Finals after a challenging few months, having played only two matches since her run at Wimbledon.
She was forced to withdraw from the US Open, before pulling out of the entirety of the Asian swing, with her season marred by injuries and bouts of illness.
Adding to these struggles, Elena Rybakina has also dealt with upheaval in her coaching setup, affecting her consistency and happiness on the court.
Despite these setbacks, she has shown determination by lacing up for the WTA Finals, even though she lost her opening two matches against Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng.
In a significant development, Rybakina recently hired Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach, marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership.
Tracy Austin admits ‘surprise’ at Goran Ivanisevic coaching appointment
Ivanisevic’s experience coaching top players and managing the mental and physical demands of the tour could provide Rybakina with invaluable guidance.
With this new coaching arrangement, Rybakina seems ready to confront her challenges head-on and work towards regaining her form.
As she prepares for the 2025 season, her collaboration with Ivanisevic could be a crucial step in reigniting her potential as a major contender on the WTA Tour.
While her performances so far in Riyadh may not have yielded victories, they reflect her resolve to keep competing at the highest level.
Tracy Austin admitted her rather pleasant surprise at Rybakina’s new coaching appointment, saying: “For me it’s a bit surprising because he hasn’t come to the women’s side. We are used to seeing that ferris wheel of coaches from all of the women or all of the men. I like it though. Because he has that huge weapon of a serve.
“She has also spoke about how she has experience as a champion himself, so he knows what to bring as a tennis player,” she continued on the Tennis Channel podcast.
“And I like the fact that he was with Novak for five years, has been around Novak winning 12 majors, so he knows what it is like to navigate through the seven matches of the majors.”
- READ MORE: Andy Roddick reacts after Elena Rybakina picks Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach for 2025
Elena Rybakina is primed to make her mark in 2025
Rybakina is set to make a big impact in 2025, bringing the skill and determination of a former Grand Slam champion and multiple-time finalist.
Known for her prowess on hard courts, she’s well-suited to the fast surfaces, and with the Australian Open just around the corner, the outlook is promising despite limited time for full recovery and adjustment.
Staying healthy and injury-free will be essential for Rybakina as she heads into the new season. However, more than physical readiness, what Rybakina truly needs is to rekindle her enjoyment of the game.
If she can rediscover her passion and play with a renewed sense of joy, her natural power and court presence could make her a formidable contender again. With the right balance of health and mindset, 2025 might just be her year to re-stabilize her career.
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