Goran Ivanišević, the new coach of Elena Rybakina, has been making headlines since officially taking over the Kazakh star’s coaching duties, and in a recent interview with *Tennis Majors*, he shared his thoughts on the state of men’s tennis, particularly focusing on Alexander Zverev and his potential to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the top of the game. Ivanišević, who is perhaps best known for his triumph at Wimbledon in 2001 and for his successful coaching stint with Novak Djokovic, was candid about Zverev’s ability to compete with the younger stars on tour, despite Zverev’s recent success, including his victory at the Paris Rolex Masters.
### Zverev’s Ups and Downs
Zverev’s 2024 season has been a mixed bag, despite a breakthrough victory in Paris, which helped him secure his place at the ATP Finals in Turin. Ivanišević, however, pointed out that Zverev still has “too many ups and downs” in his game to consistently challenge Alcaraz and Sinner for the biggest titles. According to Ivanišević, the German star can play at an incredibly high level but often falls short when it matters most, particularly against the world’s top players.
“Zverev plays really well up to a certain point, then comes a match where he really needs to put everything together, and there he makes a mistake,” Ivanišević explained. “No one can compete with Sinner and Alcaraz today. To beat them, you always have to be at your best. Zverev’s level is good, but against the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner, you need to maintain that top-level performance throughout, and that’s where he sometimes misses the mark.”
Zverev himself acknowledged his growth as a player and his desire to continue improving. After his win in Paris, he spoke about the importance of fine-tuning his game and approaching the final stages of the season with the right mindset. “For me, it’s about improving my game and letting the results come to me,” he said. “I know I can’t force results. It’s been a tough road back after the injury, but I’m looking forward to the ATP Finals in Turin. It’s such a special tournament with such a unique atmosphere. Everyone is motivated, and it’s a great way to finish the season.”
Zverev has shown flashes of brilliance in 2024, but as Ivanišević notes, consistency is key for him to elevate his game and pose a true challenge to Alcaraz and Sinner in the coming seasons.
### Djokovic’s Triumph and Future Goals
Shifting focus to Novak Djokovic, Ivanišević discussed the Serbian legend’s incredible career and his pursuit of Olympic glory. One of the main goals for Djokovic has been to win Olympic gold, and this became a reality when he claimed the title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Ivanišević, this achievement was especially emotional, as it represented the culmination of years of hard work, setbacks, and determination.
“We’ve talked about it many times,” Ivanišević said. “Novak wanted that Olympic gold so badly, and that’s why it was so emotional for everyone. It was his first trophy of the season, and after dealing with injuries and a tough Wimbledon final, it was a huge achievement. Novak proved once again that when he’s at his best, he’s the best in the world. He made it look like Alcaraz wasn’t as young, fast, or powerful as he really is. It surprised Carlos, I think, and that put him on edge.”
Ivanišević was optimistic about Djokovic’s future, particularly with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles still on the horizon. He believes that the 36-year-old can continue to compete at the highest level for several more years, even if Alcaraz, 16 years his junior, is already regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the sport. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Novak playing in Los Angeles in 2028,” Ivanišević said. “He’s still the man to beat at the US Open if he keeps playing with this motivation and focus.”
### Alcaraz vs. Sinner: Who’s the Better Player?
When it comes to the young guns of men’s tennis, Ivanišević had an interesting take on the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Both players have shown incredible potential in 2024, with Alcaraz continuing his rise to the top and Sinner making his case as a future world number one. Ivanišević, however, believes that Sinner has the edge over Alcaraz when both players are playing at their best.
“Alcaraz has had some losses this year that I can’t really explain,” Ivanišević admitted. “If you take Novak out of the equation, Alcaraz and Sinner will dominate. They are way above everyone else. But when they’re both playing at their best, I think Sinner is the better player. He’s more consistent throughout the match, while Alcaraz has moments where he makes incredible shots, but then he also makes easy mistakes.”
This assessment from Ivanišević further highlights the growing rivalry between the two, with Sinner’s consistency being a major strength, while Alcaraz’s explosive game remains one of the most exciting to watch on tour. As both players continue to develop, the future of men’s tennis looks incredibly promising with these two rising stars at the forefront.
### Rybakina’s New Chapter
Amidst all this discussion about the men’s game, Ivanišević’s own career has taken an exciting turn as he begins working with Elena Rybakina, who officially announced their partnership for the 2025 season. Rybakina, who is coming off a mixed season in 2024, was looking for a fresh perspective to elevate her game, and she sees Ivanišević as the ideal coach to help her achieve her lofty goals.
“I can announce that my new coach will be Goran Ivanišević,” Rybakina said in a statement. “He’s a great champion with a lot of experience. I’m really excited to start working with him. We got in touch through our agents, and everything just clicked. I’ve been working with the same coach for a long time, so this is something new for me, but I’m looking forward to learning with Goran.”
Rybakina’s decision to work with Ivanišević represents a new chapter in her career. After battling injuries and illness in 2024, she is hoping that Ivanišević’s expertise can help her achieve her dream of winning more Grand Slam titles and potentially reaching the world number one spot. With Ivanišević’s wealth of experience, including his time coaching Novak Djokovic, Rybakina is in good hands as she looks to take her game to the next level in 2025.
In summary, Goran Ivanišević’s recent interview offered valuable insights into the current state of men’s tennis, from the ongoing rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner to Zverev’s potential. His new coaching role with Elena Rybakina also signals an exciting new phase for the Kazakh star, and it will be interesting to see how their partnership evolves as they aim to achieve great things together in 2025.