By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday November 1, 2024
The former Wimbledon champion announced that she'd begin work with Ivanesevic during the pre-season.
Photo Source: Mark Peterson/ Corleve
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday November 1, 2024
Elena Rybakina has dropped a blockbuster ahead of this year’s WTA Finals in Riyadh.
She’ll begin working with Goran Ivanesivic, the former longtime coach of Novak Djokovic, ahead of the 2025 season.
"I'm really looking forward to this partnership," Rybakina told reporters, via the WTA. "I think he's a great champion and he has so much experience and I'm looking forward to start. For me, it was important to get better and with the help of the agents we connected and we just decided to start working. So I'm really looking forward."
The pair of former Wimbledon champions will begin their work after the WTA Finals, during the pre-season leadup to the Aussie summer swing.
"It's just very interesting for me," Rybakina said. "I want to learn. Yeah, I'm just looking forward. As we just said, it's something new for me. Also I've been with one coach for long time. I want to learn. Yeah, really happy and we will see what we can do together."
Rybakina previously worked with Stefano Vukov, but the pair parted ways after the US Open. She has not played since.
"Of course, it's a big change but I think it's going to be a good change. Of course it's not going to be easy when you've worked with somebody for a long time, but we are good with Stefano. I just wish him the best in his new chapter."
It has been an injury and illness-marred season from Rybakina, who withdrew from several top tournaments with different physical maladies, but she’s ready to put that behind her.
"This year I had a lot of ups and downs, starting with insomnia, allergies, and then the back," Rybakina said. "Of course, when you have such a season it's not easy to stop. But once I had some rest, I have to say, it was really nice.”
Rybakina will face Jasmine Paolini in her first match at the WTA Finals.