"Elena Rybakina about to win every Slam next season" - Fans hopeful as Kazakh ropes in Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic as new team member
Elena Rybakina joining hands with Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic has sparked discussions among tennis fans. They have talked about how the Kazakh's already strong serving prowess will increase its caliber by several notches under the Croat's tutelage.
Rybakina split from her former coach Stefan Vukova just days before the 2024 US Open. The two had been together since 2019 and won a total of eight titles together, including the 2022 Wimbledon title and two WTA 1000 titles.
The split's controversial nature became the talk of the tennis world when Russian journalist Sofya Tartokova said that the Kazakh was dealing with some psychological issues due to her relationship with Vukov.
It was recently revealed that Elena Rybakina has joined hands with Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic. The Croat split with the 24-time Major champion earlier in the year. In their highly successful partnership, Djokovic won 12 Grand Slams.
Fans on X reacted to this latest partnership that has sent shockwaves throughout the tennis fraternity. One fan felt that the 25-year-old was about to win every Major in 2025.
"she hired novaks old coach ??? she about to win every single slam next season," the fan hoped.
Elena Rybakina's serving prowess is no mystery and coupled with Ivanisevic, widely regarded as one of the best servers of all time, could become a massive threat. Another fan noted:
"No one will winning any point from her serve now."
Here are some other reactions from fans:
"Wow, even more elite than Iga's. Looking forward to seeing how it works," a fan was excited.
"Her serve about to be unbreakable , thank god big Lenka got a good serve too otherwise we would be cooked," a fan felt.
"we r going to see servebotting the likes of which has never been seen on the wta," a fan opined.
Here are some other reactions from fans with one fan hilariously calling the Kazakh - Elena Mpetshi Rybakina, a reference to the young Frenchwoman's service.
"No wonder she served so hard in the WTA Finals photoshoot 😮💨 That Venus Rosewater dish will love to see her coming," a fan said.
"THIS IS TOO MUCH?? ONE AT A TIME PLEASE PLEASE," a fan was delighted.
"Elena Mpetshi Rybakina," a fan joked.
Despite an injury-marred season, Elena Rybakina managed to qualify for the 2024 WTA Finals
Elena Rybakina has struggled with injuries throughout the 2024 season, withdrawing from tournaments and retiring mid-matches on several occasions. Most notably, she withdrew from the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells and Rome. The Kazakh was the defending champion in both events.
Despite her struggles, the Kazakh's scintillating performances in the initial part of the year, when she won titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart has helped her clinch a position as the fifth seed in the 2024 WTA Finals.
Her group consists of top seed Aryna Sabalenka, seventh seed Zheng Qinwen, and fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, who Rybakina will kick off her campaign against.