"I don't see myself in men's tennis at all" - Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic explains "surprising" new partnership with Elena Rybakina
Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic recently opened up about his decision to begin a new partnership with Elena Rybakina. The former Grand Slam champion said he needed something “completely different” following his separation from the Serb.
On Friday, November 1, Rybakina announced that she had appointed Ivanisevic as her new coach following her controversial split with another Croatian coach, Stefano Vukov. The collaboration came as a surprise to the tennis world, considering Goran Ivanisevic’s history as an ATP coach.
The 2001 Wimbledon champion coached the likes of Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, and Milos Raonic before his five-year stint with Novak Djokovic. After he split with the 24-time Grand Slam champion in March 2024, Ivanisevic took a hiatus from coaching.
About his surprising return, this time as a WTA coach, the Croatian told Sport Klub:
"Then I said I was going to take a long break, and I said I wouldn't take on a job that wasn't challenging."
Goran Ivanisevic indicated that he hit the wall after coaching Djokovic to a staggering nine Grand Slams alongside several other big titles.
"After Novak, it's hard to train anyone, so I needed something completely different. When you are the coach of the greatest tennis player of all time, then you need something completely new," he said.
"So - either a young player or something completely on the other side, and that is precisely the WTA tour," he explained.
The 53-year-old added that he has found his calling, having accepted Elena Rybakina’s offer.
"I think many people found it strange and surprised when they heard about our collaboration, but after Novak I needed a 180-degree turn. I won everything with Novak, and now I am extremely looking forward to this new challenge," Novak Djokovic ex-coach said.
"Honestly, when I was on the ATP tour, I didn't imagine myself in women's tennis, but right now I don't see myself in men's tennis at all," he added.
"I chose the right one for me" – Goran Ivanisevic on working with Elena Rybakina after Novak Djokovic
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, did not script her best campaign this season. The Kazakh won three titles—at the WTA 500 events in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Stuttgart—but suffered several injury- and illness-related setbacks. She was also recently eliminated from the 2024 WTA Finals after losing her first two matches.
Goran Ivanisevic, however, highlighted the 25-year-old’s potential. He also emphasized the duo’s similar playing style and Rybakina’s calm demeanor.
"There were other offers, but I think I chose the right one for me - because of (Elena Rybakina's) way of playing and potential, but also because of her personality. She's calm, I can't wait to get to work and I think it's going to be great," he said in the aforementioned interview.
"Tennis - she has a strong serve, she's tall, an aggressive style of play, she won Wimbledon like me. We have a similar style, I feel like I can teach her something," Ivanisevic added.
Elena Rybakina kicks off her new partnership with Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach during the off-season. Following the WTA Finals, she is expected to begin her 2025 journey at the United Cup.