Goran Ivanisevic says he needed “something different” after working with Novak Djokovic, and when Elena Rybakina contacted him, he felt it was a perfect opportunity for him to get back into the business because it meant a switch to the WTA Tour but also working with someone he thinks very highly of.
After a mysterious split with long-time coach Stefano Vukov and not playing since the US Open, the Kazakh spoke with reporters for the first time in two months when she arrived in Riyadh for her pre-tournament presser. And after calling fake news on claims that she was verbally abused by Vukov, the 25-year-old also shared to reporters that she hired Ivanisevic but that their collaboration would officially start in the preseason.
Previously, Ivanisevic ended his extremely successful six-year partnership with Djokovic in late March.
“When we spoke back in April (after the split with Novak), I told you that I would take a longer break, and secondly – that I won’t take a job that doesn’t make me curious or doesn’t represent a challenge. After Novak, it’s really hard to coach anyone, so I needed something completely different. When you’re the coach of the greatest player of all time, you just need something new. So the choice was some young player or something completely different, and this ’completely different’ was the WTA Tour,” the 2001 Wimbledon winner told Sasa Ozmo of Tennis Majors.
Ivanisevic on why he likes Rybakina and his major prediction
After his collaboration with Djokovic resulted in 12 Grand Slams, the 53-year-old didn’t lack offers from top players across the ATP and WTA Tours. But he didn’t rush into accepting any of those offers. And since he is a big fan of Rybakina’s tennis and her personality, the former world No. 2 didn’t think much what to do when the 2022 Wimbledon champion reached out to him.
“There were some other offers, but I think I chose the right one for me – because of Elena’s playing style and potential, but also because of her personality. Elena is calm and I can’t wait to get going. I think it’s going to be great,” Ivanisevic said.
When asked how he could help Rybakina elevate her game to a new level, the Croatian noted that he had a similar game-style so he understands perfectly on what her game is based. Then, the 2001 Wimbledon winner made it clear that he believes the 25-year-old is capable of adding more Slams to her collection.
After winning Wimbledon in 2022, the Kazakh tennis star also finished as runner-up at the 2023 Australian Open.
“I don’t know her too well personally, but my friend Zule is her fitness coach – we worked together with Tomas Berdych – and the word around the Tour generally is that she is a great person. Game-wise, she has got a big serve, tall, strong hitter who plays aggressively, she won Wimbledon just like me. I feel I can teach her something. I mean, she is already No 5 in the world, but I think she can win more Slams, that’s for sure,” Ivanisevic explained.
Ivanisevic on Rybakina’s injury and health struggles
Although the 25-year-old has been one of the best players on the WTA Tour over the last two years, it is not a secret that she has often been sidelined due to an injury or an illness. And since the Kazakh has still managed to achieve big success, some wonder what could happen if she managed to stay healthy for a longer period of time.
Asked about Rybakina’s health struggles, Ivanisevic noted that he will try to crack down why it has been happening and then try to resolve it.
“I am sure there is a reason behind all that. When I dive in deeper into the whole process, then I will know more. But you know what they say: Screw the coach who can’t succeed on both Tours!” the former Croatian tennis star said.
Meanwhile, the world No. 5 was all ecstatic when announcing her new coaching addition, calling him “a great champion” and admitting that she was very excited about the collaboration.
“Really looking forward to this partnership. I think he’s a great champion and he has so much experience. I’m really looking forward to start (to work with him). Yeah, for me was important to get better. Of course, with the help of the agents we connected and just decided to start working. So I’m really looking forward,” Rybakina said in Riyadh.
Meanwhile, the Kazakh picked up defeats to Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen in her first two matches at the WTA Finals and no has no chance of reaching the semifinal. On Wednesday, Rybakina will conclude her run in Riyadh by taking on Aryna Sabalenka.