Ex-Wimbledon champion quits as Elena Rybakina’s coach – one day after Australian Open elimination
Goran Ivanisevic will no longer be coaching Elena Rybakina after her premature exit at the Australian Open. This announcement comes on the heels of a disappointing fourth-round defeat to Madison Keys for the No.6 seed. Goran Ivanisevic has announced he will no longer be coaching Elena Rybakina.AFP Rybakina had brought Ivanisevic on board ahead of last year’s WTA Finals, as they began their collaboration in the off-season. On Tuesday, Ivanisevic took to social media to express his decision to step back from the role. “After our trial period that finished with the Australian Open, I wish Elena and her team the best of luck moving forward,” he said. Ivanisevic won the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2001, defying the odds as a wild card entrant ranked 125th in the world. Since his retirement he has coached a number of top stars including Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, and Novak Djokovic. Rybakina had already cast uncertainty over the future of their partnership after her defeat to 19th seed Keys on Monday. When questioned about the possibility of retaining Ivanisevic in her camp, the former Melbourne finalist responded, “Well, we still need to talk.” “Of course, because as I said, we just tried the preseason, and these couple of tournaments it was something just getting used to each other. “We will talk about what the next schedule is going to look like.” Ivanisevic had joined Rybakina’s team for a pre-season training block in Dubai before heading Down Under for the 2025 season. He was in a the Kazakh team box during the United Cup and stood by the world No.7’s side for the Australian Open. Goran Ivanisevic shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday morning. However, their partnership quickly grew uncertain when Rybakina decided to rehire her former coach, Stefano Vukov. She originally parted ways with Vukov before the 2024 US Open. “Hello everyone, I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” Rybakina said. “Thank you for all the support and wishing you a great 2025,” she announced on New Year’s Day. Just a day later, The Athletic revealed the news that Vukov was provisionally suspended while under investigation for a breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct. During this time, he was not granted credentials for WTA Tour events. Rybakina is known for her excellent serve and can generate high-powered groundstrokes.Getty Tennis Australia followed suit, denying him accreditation for the Australian Open. The investigation reportedly stemmed from complaints received about Vukov’s conduct after Rybakina and he ended their coaching partnership last August. While Rybakina refuted allegations surrounding her coach on tour, she was not among those who raised a complaint. Ivanisevic reportedly felt “blindsided” by Rybakina’s public announcement of Vukov’s return to the team. He had hoped to remain silent on the matter until the investigation wrapped up and a clear path forward for Vukov’s coaching role was determined. As fans eager await clarity, a decision is anticipated to be made public following the conclusion of the Australian Open.
Goran Ivanisevic will no longer be coaching Elena Rybakina after her premature exit at the Australian Open.
This announcement comes on the heels of a disappointing fourth-round defeat to Madison Keys for the No.6 seed.
Rybakina had brought Ivanisevic on board ahead of last year’s WTA Finals, as they began their collaboration in the off-season.
On Tuesday, Ivanisevic took to social media to express his decision to step back from the role. “After our trial period that finished with the Australian Open, I wish Elena and her team the best of luck moving forward,” he said.
Ivanisevic won the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2001, defying the odds as a wild card entrant ranked 125th in the world.
Since his retirement he has coached a number of top stars including Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, and Novak Djokovic.
Rybakina had already cast uncertainty over the future of their partnership after her defeat to 19th seed Keys on Monday.
When questioned about the possibility of retaining Ivanisevic in her camp, the former Melbourne finalist responded, “Well, we still need to talk.”
“Of course, because as I said, we just tried the preseason, and these couple of tournaments it was something just getting used to each other.
“We will talk about what the next schedule is going to look like.”
Ivanisevic had joined Rybakina’s team for a pre-season training block in Dubai before heading Down Under for the 2025 season.
He was in a the Kazakh team box during the United Cup and stood by the world No.7’s side for the Australian Open.
However, their partnership quickly grew uncertain when Rybakina decided to rehire her former coach, Stefano Vukov.
She originally parted ways with Vukov before the 2024 US Open.
“Hello everyone, I am excited to announce that Stefano will be joining the team for the 2025 season,” Rybakina said.
“Thank you for all the support and wishing you a great 2025,” she announced on New Year’s Day.
Just a day later, The Athletic revealed the news that Vukov was provisionally suspended while under investigation for a breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct.
During this time, he was not granted credentials for WTA Tour events.
Tennis Australia followed suit, denying him accreditation for the Australian Open.
The investigation reportedly stemmed from complaints received about Vukov’s conduct after Rybakina and he ended their coaching partnership last August.
While Rybakina refuted allegations surrounding her coach on tour, she was not among those who raised a complaint.
Ivanisevic reportedly felt “blindsided” by Rybakina’s public announcement of Vukov’s return to the team.
He had hoped to remain silent on the matter until the investigation wrapped up and a clear path forward for Vukov’s coaching role was determined.
As fans eager await clarity, a decision is anticipated to be made public following the conclusion of the Australian Open.
