Elena Rybakina is entering the 2025 tennis season with renewed vigor and determination. After a tumultuous year of highs and lows, mainly marred by injuries and illnesses, the Kazakh tennis star seems to have found her footing again. Rybakina has started her new campaign under the tutelage of Novak Djokovic’s former coach and Wimbledon champion, Goran Ivanisevic. The World No.6 made headlines when she split from her long-time coach Stefano Vukov just ahead of the 2024 US Open. Now, rumors of a potential reunion are making waves.

Before Ivanisevic entered the picture, Rybakina parted ways with Vukov just before the 2024 US Open, ending a five-year partnership. Together, they had achieved remarkable milestones, including her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 and a career-high ranking of No. 3 in June 2023. But their journey wasn’t without its challenges. Vukov faced criticism for his conduct during matches, often seen shouting at her angrily.

Journalist Sofya Tartakova recently revealed that Vukov is set to travel to Melbourne on January 4 to support Rybakina at the 2025 Australian Open, even though they are no longer officially working together.

Though there were rumors that they parted ways on bad terms and partly due to Vukov’s on-court behavior, Rybakina cleared them up at the press conference before the WTA Finals. 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 the next step.”

Tartakova shared on social media that she met with Vukov on December 30, where he mentioned that he and Rybakina remain on good terms and that he plans to cheer for her at the upcoming Grand Slam. Vukov also addressed speculation about a potential WTA ban following their split. Reports in August suggested he had been removed from the WTA coaches list and barred from the tour. However, Tartakova clarified that Vukov is not banned and will attend the Australian Open as an unofficial supporter.

Meanwhile, Ivanisevic will continue to remain in charge as Rybakina’s head coach.

Elena Rybakina makes waves with new coach Goran Ivanisevic

Elena Rybakina’s 2025 campaign has kicked off on a promising note. She officially appointed Ivanisevic as her coach in November. The partnership began with success, as her team Game Changers Falcons claimed the World Tennis League trophy in Dubai.

Rybakina recently led Kazakhstan to the quarterfinals of the United Cup as well with a commanding win over Greece. In her singles match, she defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-3, securing her team’s spot in the next round. Kazakhstan will now face Germany in the quarterfinals, with Rybakina once again leading the charge.

With a new coach at the helm, Rybakina is embracing the change in her game. Ivanisevic is encouraging her to sharpen her skills and adopt a more attacking style. “Trying to push her to come to the net more. She has a big game and can finish the point much earlier than she was usually doing. She needs to put in her head that she can play more aggressively, come to the net, and finish some points with the volleys,” he explained.

This new approach may also reveal a different side of the usually composed Rybakina. Ivanisevic hinted at trying to bring more emotion into her on-court demeanor. “Definitely not going to see her breaking rackets, but hopefully she does show more emotion. She’s a very different person and very calm. But I’ve been trying to put some emotion; I think it’s going to help her game,” he added.

With a new coach steering her game in an exciting direction and her former coach offering support from the sidelines, all eyes are on the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Will she make a mark at the Australian Open?