By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday November 5, 2024
Goran Ivanisevic, the new coach of Elena Rybakina, had several offers come his way after he parted ways with Novak Djokovic earlier this season. The former Wimbledon champion settled on the one he found the most exciting – a chance to take Rybakina’s game to the next level.
In an interview with Sasa Ozmo of Tennis Majors, the Croatian legend explained his reasoning.
“There were some other offers, but I think I chose the right one for me – because of Elena’s playing style and potential, but also because of her personality. Elena is calm and I can’t wait to get going. I think it’s going to be great,” he said.
After a five-year partnership with Djokovic that saw the Serbian legend go to the top of the Grand Slam men’s singles titles totem pole, Ivanisevic says he’s eager to go down a different path. Rybakina, a 25-year-old from Kazakhstan who won the Wimbledon title in 2022, has the potential to win more majors, he says.
“I know that many people found it odd and that people were surprised by our collaboration, but not me,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors. “I needed a U-turn after Novak. I won everything with Novak, so I am extremely looking forward to this new challenge. Honestly, during my time on the ATP Tour, I never pictured myself on the women’s tour, but I don’t see myself in men’s tennis at the moment.”
💬 “After Novak, it’s really hard to coach anyone, so I needed something completely different.” Read our exclusive interview with Goran Ivanisevic, by @ozmo_sasa ⬇️https://t.co/j0w7aTw0v0
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 5, 2024
Ivanisevic says he will use the off-season to get to know Rybakina. He believes that there is plenty of room for growth in her game.
“I don’t know her too well personally, but my friend Zule is her fitness coach,” he said. We worked together with Tomas Berdych – and the word around the Tour generally is that she is a great person. Game-wise, she has got a big serve, tall, strong hitter who plays aggressively, she won Wimbledon just like me.
“I feel I can teach her something. I mean, she is already No 5 in the world, but I think she can win more Slams, that’s for sure.”
