Elena Rybakina’s 2024 season has been a rollercoaster ride of injuries, illness, and changes in her coaching team, which has left her struggling to find her best form. The Kazakh tennis star, who captured the 2022 Wimbledon title and solidified her status as a top contender on the WTA Tour, entered the WTA Finals with high hopes, only to face an early exit. Her opening defeat at the hands of Jasmine Paolini and a second loss to Qinwen Zheng in Riyadh has only added to the challenges she’s faced in recent months.
Rybakina’s difficulties began much earlier in the year, as she only played two matches after her Wimbledon campaign. The reigning Wimbledon champion was forced to withdraw from the US Open due to a combination of injuries and health issues, before ultimately pulling out of the entire Asian swing, which included crucial tournaments in China and Japan. These absences contributed to a disjointed season, preventing Rybakina from building the momentum she needs to return to her best form.
**Injuries, Illness, and Coaching Turmoil**
The struggles for Rybakina were not only physical but also mental, as her season was marred by a sense of instability in her coaching setup. A series of changes in her coaching staff affected her consistency and overall performance. After parting ways with her previous coach, Rybakina experienced a period of uncertainty, which impacted both her confidence on the court and her enjoyment of the game.
In the midst of these difficulties, the Kazakh’s determination to continue competing at the highest level was clear as she took the court for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Despite her opening defeats, Rybakina’s resilience in competing at such a prestigious event is a testament to her drive to return to her top form. The WTA Finals are one of the sport’s most grueling tournaments, showcasing the very best of women’s tennis. For Rybakina, these losses were certainly a setback, but they also highlighted her unyielding commitment to overcoming adversity.
**A Fresh Start: Goran Ivanisevic Takes the Helm**
Amidst these struggles, a major development has given fans and experts alike reason to hope for a brighter 2025 for Elena Rybakina. In a move that took many by surprise, Rybakina recently announced that she had hired Goran Ivanisevic, former Wimbledon champion and longtime coach of Novak Djokovic, as her new coach. Ivanisevic’s appointment marks a significant shift in Rybakina’s coaching dynamic and represents an exciting new chapter in her career.
Tracy Austin, the tennis legend and commentator, expressed her surprise at the coaching choice but also noted the potential benefits. On the *Tennis Channel* podcast, Austin said: “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.”
Ivanisevic’s experience in coaching top players, particularly Novak Djokovic, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, is invaluable. Austin went on to emphasize Ivanisevic’s extensive experience in guiding players through the mental and physical challenges of the tour, especially the rigors of major tournaments. “He has been around Novak, winning 12 majors with him. So, he knows what it’s like to navigate through the seven matches of the majors,” Austin explained, recognizing Ivanisevic’s unique ability to relate to a player like Rybakina, who shares similar strengths in terms of power and serving ability.
This new coaching partnership could be exactly what Rybakina needs. Ivanisevic is known for his strong understanding of the game, particularly in terms of the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest levels. His own experience as a major champion gives him a unique perspective on the pressures that come with being a top player, and he could provide the guidance Rybakina needs to take her game to the next level.
**Looking Ahead to 2025: A Strong Comeback in the Making**
As Rybakina prepares for the 2025 season, there is reason to be optimistic about her prospects. The 2024 campaign, while challenging, has provided her with an opportunity to refocus, rebuild, and start fresh. With her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, Rybakina has the tools to thrive, particularly on fast surfaces like those at the Australian Open. If she can regain her confidence and maintain her physical health, Rybakina could easily be a top contender once again.
However, physical readiness is not the only key to her success. Throughout 2024, Rybakina’s struggles have often been linked to a lack of mental stability, which is common for many players when facing injuries and changes off the court. If she can rediscover her passion for the game and play with the same joy and freedom that brought her Grand Slam success, there’s no reason why she can’t make a significant impact in 2025.
The partnership with Ivanisevic may provide Rybakina with the mental clarity and strategic focus she has lacked in recent months. Working with a coach who has guided one of the greatest players in tennis history could offer her new perspectives on handling the pressures of the tour and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the season.
**A Crucial Year Ahead: Health and Mindset Will Determine Rybakina’s Future**
As Rybakina heads into the new season, staying healthy and injury-free will be paramount. Her physical condition has been one of the biggest obstacles to her success in recent months, and avoiding further setbacks will be critical. However, as Tracy Austin mentioned, it is just as important for Rybakina to rediscover the love for the game. A fresh coaching partnership with Ivanisevic could be exactly what she needs to reinvigorate her passion for tennis.
If Rybakina can strike the right balance between physical health and mental focus, she will undoubtedly be a formidable force in 2025. Her natural power and aggressive playing style, combined with a renewed sense of purpose, could allow her to regain her place among the top players in the world.
Despite her struggles in 2024, Elena Rybakina has the tools, the drive, and now the support to make 2025 her year. Whether or not she can return to the very top of the women’s game remains to be seen, but with a new coaching team, a fresh perspective, and a renewed focus, the future looks brighter than it has in months for the Kazakh star.