In a major move for her career, World No.6 Elena Rybakina has announced a new coaching partnership with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. This development comes as Rybakina gears up for a promising 2025 season, following a year of significant ups and downs.
A Fresh Start in Dubai
Rybakina and Ivanisevic have kicked off their preseason training in Dubai, sparking excitement among tennis fans and experts alike. The new team, including Rybakina’s longtime physical trainer Azuz Simcich and physio Stefan Duell, appears to be in high spirits, as evidenced by a cheerful selfie shared by Ivanisevic on his Instagram. The caption read, “Great first [two] weeks of preseason in Dubai. Let’s keep it up,” highlighting the positive atmosphere within the camp.
A Strategic Coaching Shift
The decision to partner with Ivanisevic was announced shortly after Rybakina parted ways with her coach of five years, Stefano Vukov, before the US Open. Ivanisevic, known for his 2001 Wimbledon victory and his successful coaching stints with tennis greats like Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic, brings a wealth of experience to Team Rybakina.
In her pre-tournament press conference at the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh, Rybakina expressed her enthusiasm about the new arrangement. “I’m really looking forward to this partnership,” she said. “I think he’s a great champion and he has so much experience and I’m looking forward to start.”
The Kazakhstani player also emphasized the importance of improving her game, noting, “For me, it was important to get better and with the help of the agents we connected and we just decided to start working. So I’m really looking forward.”
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite being eliminated in the round-robin stage at the Riyadh tournament, Rybakina ended her season on a high note by defeating the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in her final match. The victory was a testament to her resilience, especially considering the challenges she faced throughout the year, including a back injury that forced her withdrawal from the US Open and sidelined her for the entire Asian swing.
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