2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević has been hired as Elena Rybakina’s new coach in an unexpected move.
In March this year, Novak Djokovic parted ways with Ivanišević after six years for a fresh change, winning nine Grand Slam titles together.
"I'm really looking forward to this partnership," Rybakina told the media ahead of the WTA Finals, which begins tomorrow. "I think he's a great champion and he has so much experience, and I'm looking forward to starting.
"For me, it was important to get better, and with the help of the agents, we connected and we just decided to start working.
“Of course, it's a big change, but I think it's going to be a good change."
Ivanišević shared his enthusiasm on Instagram, writing: "Excited about coming back on Tour. This time, it's time for some WTA action. Happy to join your team Elena Rybakina."
An illness and injury-riddled 2024 has plagued Rybakina’s season, but the world No.5 has also struggled mentally with the split of former coach Stefano Vukov.
Tennis journalist Sofya Tartakova reported on YouTube via Tennis Bolshie about what transpired behind the scenes.
"...people who were involved in her professional career have mentioned, right now Elena is under a lot of stress, it is something psychosomatic. She is in a chaotic moment, in a completely disorganised state, she cannot play. All these difficulties that she is facing right now come from the tremendous pressure associated with her former coach Vukov.
"[It] is clear that (Rybakina and Vukov) were very close, that she lived the best moments of her career thanks to working together, but her parents insisted that (Elena) needed a change in her tennis life: there was pressure, insults, bad words that constantly came from Vukov’s lips. And now she is suffering, trying to get rid of these psychological problems."
Rybakina, 25, will commence her new partnership with Ivanišević during the off-season in preparation for the 2025 Australian summer.
The 2023 Wimbledon champion will face fourth seed Jasmine Paolini in the WTA Finals opening group stage match having not featured in a competitive match since the US Open first round.
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