Goran Ivanisevic quits coaching partnership with Elena Rybakina after less than one month following Australian Open exit
WTA
Goran Ivanisevic has decided to quit his partnership with the former Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina after less than one month with the United Cup and Australian Open being the only tournaments they had together following drama surrounding old coach Stefano Vukov.
Ivanisevic was announced during the off-season to much fan fare. The old coach of Novak Djokovic for six years and a legendary tennis figure in his own right, Ivanisevic was seen as the fresh clean start that Rybakina needed after she had spent 18 months or so with a stop start career.
Winning titles, beating the big names or being off court ill or injured were the two extremes for Rybakina much to the frustration of those following the tour and also her fans. But there was relief in certain corners when she axed old coach Stefano Vukov in order to hire Ivanisevic or so was thought.
Ivanisevic was known to be blindsided by the announcement that Rybakina was suddenly set to reinstate Vukov onto her team. In what capacity was unknown but after doing so, the WTA promptly suspended him pending an investigation into code of conduct violations made against him.
Rybakina was adamant that the abuse that was at the centre of the row never took place and that she wanted Vukov to be there. From murmurings surrounding the camp, she was prepared to even boycott the Australian Open if Vukov couldn't be there. He wasn't and she played on but throughout there has been an undercurrent of whether Ivanisevic would stay.
The curious case of Elena Rybakina continues.
After her loss to Madison Keys in what was a pretty poor display from Rybakina who suffered with a back injury throughout the tournament, he decided to quit likely not wanting to work as second fiddle.
"After our trial period that finished with Australian Open, I wish Elena and her team best of lock moving forward," he wrote on social media.
According to reports by The Athletic, Rybakina emotionally pleaded for Ivanisevic to stay with her after the Vukov drama that saw her nearly enter the Australian Open without an official coach.
But it seems like it got too much for Ivanisevic playing third wheel in the existing partnership with Vukov. The investigation into the controversial coach is due out supposedly by the end of the Australian Open and no doubt if he isn't banned by the WTA, Vukov will immediately be rehired as her main coach.
New:
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 21, 2025
Goran Ivanisevic, made into an awkward third wheel in the bumpy Rybakina-Vukov ride, announces he won’t be continuing to work with Rybakina. pic.twitter.com/5AFxXRmU5r
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