Elena Rybakina, the current World No. 5, has announced a new coaching partnership with former World No. 2 and Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, starting with the 2025 season. This development follows Rybakina’s split with her previous coach Stefano Vukov, with whom she achieved several career milestones, including her breakthrough Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 and a runner-up finish at the 2023 Australian Open. Despite their success, Rybakina and Vukov parted ways unexpectedly in the summer of 2024 after five years together, ending a chapter that had seen her rise from World No. 200 to the top of the game. Now, with Ivanisevic, Rybakina aims to enter a new phase of her career, targeting further success on the WTA circuit.
Since her split with Vukov, Rybakina has faced questions regarding the nature of their separation. The partnership attracted frequent scrutiny, especially regarding Vukov’s on-court behavior and coaching style, which some critics perceived as overly intense. However, Rybakina addressed these concerns directly while in Riyadh, where she is competing in the WTA Finals. “There’s been a lot of rumors, but honestly, we just parted ways with Stefano,” Rybakina stated. “We had incredible results over five years. I started with him when I was [ranked] 200, and we achieved so much together. I think it’s just time for the next chapter of my career, and I want to take the next step.”
Rybakina’s journey to the WTA Finals has been challenging. She has dealt with recurring injuries and illness throughout 2024, which limited her appearances on tour. Nevertheless, she remained resilient and continued to achieve strong results during the season’s first half. As she steps into the year-end championships in Riyadh, Rybakina will be competing in a tough group alongside World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, and two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini. Although Ivanisevic’s formal involvement with her team will begin in the offseason, Rybakina has reportedly enlisted the help of Kazakh national coach Lovro Zovko during the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Ivanisevic brings a wealth of experience and a stellar reputation as a coach, especially known for his time guiding top ATP players. His achievements as a player are equally notable. Ivanisevic clinched his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2001, becoming the first wildcard in history to win the prestigious tournament after three previous runner-up finishes. Since retiring, Ivanisevic has had an impressive coaching career, working with stars like Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, and Milos Raonic. His time with Cilic was particularly successful, with the Croatian winning the 2014 US Open under Ivanisevic’s mentorship.
Ivanisevic’s most celebrated coaching stint, however, was his partnership with Novak Djokovic. The two joined forces in 2019, and their collaboration yielded phenomenal results. Djokovic, with Ivanisevic’s guidance, won nine Grand Slam titles, including four Wimbledon crowns, establishing himself further as one of the sport’s greats. Additionally, they won two ATP Finals titles and seven Masters 1000 tournaments, helping Djokovic secure multiple year-end No. 1 rankings. After a challenging start to the 2024 season, however, Djokovic announced the end of his partnership with Ivanisevic, making way for the Croatian coach to explore new opportunities — one of which is now with Rybakina.
For Rybakina, Ivanisevic’s experience on tennis’s biggest stages and his familiarity with high-pressure environments will be invaluable assets. She has already proven her capabilities with her powerful baseline game, precise serve, and steely mental composure, but Ivanisevic’s strategic insights and coaching style could provide the extra push she needs to compete consistently at the top. By joining forces, Rybakina and Ivanisevic hope to develop a dynamic partnership that maximizes her potential and brings even more success.
In the meantime, Rybakina’s immediate focus remains on her performance at the WTA Finals, where she hopes to cap off her season on a high note despite her physical struggles. Despite missing several tournaments due to injury and illness, she comes into the Finals with an impressive 2024 record that includes titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart. She also reached finals at two WTA 1000 events, Doha and Miami, and achieved her best career results at the French Open (quarterfinals) and Wimbledon (semifinals). Her impressive season reflects her determination and commitment, even in the face of adversity.
Beyond the WTA Finals, Rybakina may also represent Kazakhstan at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November, where she would be the nation’s No. 1 player in their playoff against South Korea. Although her participation has yet to be confirmed, the Billie Jean King Cup would be a valuable opportunity for Rybakina to gain match experience before embarking on her offseason training with Ivanisevic.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, Rybakina and Ivanisevic’s new partnership offers great promise. Rybakina’s achievements thus far, coupled with Ivanisevic’s success as a coach, have set the stage for a potentially fruitful collaboration that could see the Kazakh star contend for more Grand Slam titles. Ivanisevic’s emphasis on mental toughness, tactical refinement, and the experience he brings from working with elite players could be the perfect combination to elevate Rybakina’s game further. The tennis world will be watching closely as Rybakina, under Ivanisevic’s guidance, takes her next steps in pursuit of new milestones.
This partnership not only represents an exciting new chapter in Rybakina’s career but also underscores her readiness to take on greater challenges in 2025. With a renewed focus and seasoned support, she is well-positioned to reach new heights and potentially become one of the dominant forces on the WTA tour. The upcoming Australian Open will be the first significant test for Rybakina and Ivanisevic’s budding partnership, and both will be eager to showcase the results of their work together as they aim for success in the new season.