Goran Ivanišević takes new coaching job with World No. 5
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatian tennis legend and former World No. 2 Goran Ivanišević is set to coach the female World No. 5 from the beginning of the 2025 season.
Ivanišević (53) will coach Elena Rybakina, who has been without a coach since her unexpected split from Stefano Vukov.
Rybakina has achieved some major milestones recently, including winning Wimbledon in 2022, as well as reaching the final of the 2023 Australian Open, and a career-high ranking of World No. 3.
Since withdrawing midway through the US Open due to health issues, Rybakina has struggled with injuries and illness throughout the 2024 season. However, she will return to action at this week’s WTA Finals before formally starting her work with Ivanišević next year.
Ivanišević, a Wimbledon champion himself, has an impressive coaching CV.
Apart from coaching Novak Djokovic for six years, winning a number of Grand Slams together, he also led Marin Čilić to the US Open title as his coach. He also has worked with Tomáš Berdych and Milos Raonic.
Elena Rybakina (Photo: si.robi/CC BY-SA 2.0)
Rybakina made history as the first Kazakh player to capture a Grand Slam title by winning Wimbledon in 2022.
She has secured eight titles on the WTA Tour, including two prestigious WTA 1000 titles at the 2023 Indian Wells Open and the Italian Open that same year.
With his extensive experience and success as both a player and a coach, Ivanišević’s guidance is expected to be instrumental as Rybakina embarks on a new phase in her career.
