With the 2025 season fast approaching, we have seen numerous changes in the backroom staff of the players. Iga Swiatek for example. The Polish star announced that the renowned coach Wim Fissette joined her team after she ended her partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski. The business end of the season presents a perfect opportunity for the players to make these changes as it sets them perfectly for the next season. However, Swiatek isn’t the only high-profile player who has made such a move. Elena Rybakina has also made a big coaching change which has invited reactions from the likes of Chris Evert and Boris Becker.

Earlier today, Rybakina revealed that she has hired Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach. This comes weeks after her split with her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov amid a poor run. Ivanisevic has a decorated CV as a coach, having previously worked with Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic. As a result, Evert and Becker hailed Rybakina’s decision.

Evert took to her official X handle to praise Ivanisevic as he joined Rybakina’s team. The American legend indicated that Ivanisevic was the right choice for Rybakina to be her coach and the partnership would reap success in the future. Reacting to a post that revealed this decision, she wrote, “Good guy, good choice.”

On the other hand, Becker was a little surprised with the announcement of this new partnership, as he didn’t expect it might be on the horizon, but he went on to hail Rybakina’s decision nonetheless. Becker wrote, “Wow …didn’t see this one coming but lots of luck to my old nemesis on the court and good buddy now! We don’t have to worry about holding serve with this partnership…”

Meanwhile, Rybakina was also thrilled to avail the services of a legendary coach in the form of Ivanisevic. While making the announcement, she said, “I think he’s a great champion and he has so much experience. I’m really looking forward to start. It’s something new for me. I’ve been with one coach for a long time. I want to learn. I’m really happy and we will see what we can do together.”

It has been a turbulent time for Rybakina after she ended her partnership with her ex-coach, Vukov. While there were rumors that the split happened on bitter terms, Rybakina cleared the air regarding it.

Elena Rybakina explains her split with her ex-coach

The Kazakh star has had an inconsistent run of results this year. With things not going her way, she announced a shocking split with Vukov just ahead of the US Open. This led to rumors that all was not well between the two, despite being on the same team for almost 5 years. Clearing the air regarding this, Rybakina made a strong statement.

She said, “I know that a lot of I guess rumors going on. But honestly we just part ways with Stefano. I think we had incredible results over five years. We achieved a lot. I started with him when I was 200. I think it’s just now next chapter of my career. I want to make next step. But yeah, I did stop with Stefano, like as any other coaches and players do, so.”

With Ivanisevic on her team now, Rybakina will hope for a change in her fortunes. She will be seen in action at the WTA Finals, which begins in a couple of days in Riyadh. Can Rybakina overcome her poor form and win the WTA Finals title? Let us know your views in the comments below.