“Props to Rybakina for getting back out there.” After a rollercoaster 2024 season, Elena Rybakina is ready to make her mark. Following a brief break after parting ways with her former coach Stefano Vukov, she’s now teaming up with Goran Ivanisevic. Rybakina is still shaking off the rust from her earlier inconsistent form, but she’s determined to set the stage for her best performances yet. But will her new coach help her reach new heights? Before he does that, the tennis community, including Andy Roddick, is still hooked on the news of the two joining hands!

On November 5th, Andy Roddick discussed Rybakina’s return alongside Ivanisevic on his ‘Served’ podcast. He admitted he was surprised by their pairing, as it adds an intriguing twist to Rybakina’s ongoing narrative with Vukov. After a challenging period with him, which raised questions about his coaching style and its impact on her mental health, their split came just before the US Open. Now, Roddick wonders why Ivanisevic chose to coach on the women’s side after years of working with men. “Not on my radar. I think we kind of silo this guy’s a coach for men. He has been a coach for men,” he noted.

Ivanisevic has an impressive resume, having coached players like Marin Cilic and Novak Djokovic. He worked with Cilic when he won the 2014 US Open and had a 5-year long stint with Djokovic, helping him secure 12 major titles over six years before their split in March 2024. This transition into women’s tennis is unexpected but not unwelcome. Roddick remarked, “I think it’s great that he did,” while acknowledging that coaching dynamics often feel repetitive on the WTA tour.

Rybakina and Ivanisevic share striking similarities in their powerful serves and strategic shot placements. Rybakina boasts one of the fastest serves in women’s tennis, often exceeding 120 mph. “They both won Wimbledon, they’re both good on the same surfaces,” Roddick further pointed out during his podcast. Ivanisevic’s legendary serve and tactical prowess allowed him to dominate rallies during his career.

While many remain unsure about Rybakina’s current form, Roddick believes this pairing could be beneficial. Her recent matches at the WTA Finals against Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng didn’t go her way, leaving fans eager to see her unleash her true potential. But Roddick noted that Ivanisevic “has a personality” that could greatly benefit Rybakina.

He said, “coming off of this borderline toxic relationship Rybakina had with her last coach…the more I thought about it, the more I like this hire.” With Ivanisevic by her side, there’s hope for a brighter future. Especially considering his positive mindset heading into this new chapter.

Ivanisevic prepares for a new challenge alongside Rybakina at the WTA Finals

This year has been a rollercoaster for coaches in the tennis world, and Goran Ivanisevic is right in the thick of it. Despite the success, both felt it was time for a change. In a recent interview with Tennis Majors, Ivanisevic explained his decision, “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,” he added.

That said, he expressed his belief in coaching Rybakina, noting that she offers the fresh perspective he craved. “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,” he said.

As for Rybakina, she’s eager to turn her season around after struggling with inconsistency and injuries. Despite losing her first two matches at the WTA Finals, Ivanisevic remains confident in her potential. He knows that before they get to a certain level, the two will have to get to know each other better and then aim for the stars.

Rybakina is looking to lock horns with Aryna Sabalenka next. With their partnership set to begin in the 2025 season, both Rybakina and Ivanisevic are excited about what lies ahead. Do you think we’ll be seeing a new side to this WTA champ? Let us know down in the comments.