Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic moves on; tennis insider confirms his arrival in Dubai for Elena Rybakina
Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic has begun his partnership with Elena Rybakina. According to Sam Sumyk, the coach of French tennis player Arthur Cazaux, the Croat has arrived in Dubai ahead of the 2025 season.
Djokovic and Ivanisevic announced their split midway through 2024 (March), after six successful years together. However, it was only in November that the 2001 Wimbledon champion announced his next project. The tennis fraternity was taken by surprise when he confirmed his switch to the WTA Tour with 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina expressed her eagerness about her 2025 team-up with the esteemed coach during her WTA Finals appearance. However, the pair has not been captured together yet, heightening the curiosity among her fans and supporters.
Rybakina is presently in Dubai, where she has already commenced her preseason training block with her physio and fitness trainer. The player is set to compete at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi (December 19-24) before she kicks off her 2025 campaign, representing Kazakhstan at the United Cup.
Meanwhile, according to Sam Sumyk, the 25-year-old’s new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has reached the UAE to look after his charge’s preparations. During a recent conversation with Tennis Majors, Sumyk said:
"I met (Goran Ivanisevic) here (in Dubai)."
"I hope he stays with Elena Rybakina for a long time" – Sam Sumyk on Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic
Sumyk is stationed in Dubai to train rising French star Cazaux, having begun their partnership in November. Before that, he coached the likes of Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard, Garbine Muguruza, and Donna Vekic. In light of his switch from the WTA to the ATP and Ivanisevic’s converse decision, the French coach said:
"He's moving to the women's team. It's great because it's time to see more and more real coaches on the women's circuit. I told Goran, it's great."
Sumyk called the collaboration “pretty exciting.”
"I hope it works out, I hope he stays with Elena Rybakina for a long time, but just the fact that it's starting is great," he said. "It's a pretty exciting association, something I'm going to follow, because I like the player, I think she plays incredible, and then I like Goran who is still a coach."
Interestingly, it isn’t just Elena Rybakina who’s made a high-profile move in the past month. Novak Djokovic recently broke the internet after announcing his unexpected partnership with rival Andy Murray. Murray, who retired earlier this year, is set to coach the Serb at the 2025 Australian Open.