Amid Buzz Over Adding Novak Djokovic’s Ex-coach to the Team, Elena Rybakina Narrates the Backstory of Her High-Profile Partnership

After weeks of uncertainty surrounding her coach, the search finally ended for Elena Rybakina as she hired Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic. Ahead of the US Open, the Kazakh split with her longtime coach, Stefanov Vukov after having a disappointing season by her standards. Nonetheless, with the addition of a decorated coach in the form of Ivanisevic, things look quite settled for Rybakina now. But how did she get in touch with the Croatian coach?

Rybakina is currently in Riyadh where she will be seen in action at the WTA Finals. She will be making a comeback on the Tour after last playing in the US Open weeks ago. Ahead of her opening encounter, Rybakina was involved in an interview in which she was asked about the conversations that took place before hiring Ivanisevic.

Rybakina said, “With the help of the agents we connected and just decided to start working. So I’m really looking forward. Well, I definitely wanted to work with him. I’m sure since he said yes he also, so… It’s just very interesting to me. I want to learn. Yeah, I’m just looking forward. As we just said, it’s something new for me. Also, I’ve been with one coach for a long time. I want to learn. Yeah, really happy and we will see what we can do together.”

Before hiring Ivanisevic, several rumors were making the rounds that Rybakina’s split with Vukov wasn’t on good terms. Rybakina has now cleared the air regarding this and put the rumors to rest, saying, “I know that a lot of I guess rumors going on. But honestly we just part ways with Stefano. I think we had incredible results over five years. We achieved a lot. I started with him when I was 200. I think it’s just now the next chapter of my career. I want to make the next step.”

The WTA Finals will be Rybakina’s first tournament after her withdrawal mid way through her US Open campaign. Ahead of the year-ending championships, she provided fitness updates to her fans as well.

Elena Rybakina on her comeback: ‘It’s not easy’

The Kazakh star has been away from action for almost two months now. She withdrew from the US Open ahead of her second-round match due to an injury. Nonetheless, she has recovered well and entered the WTA Finals in good physical shape. Before her first match in Riyadh, she broke her silence on her recovery.

Rybakina revealed, “This year I had a lot of ups and downs, starting with insomnia, allergies, and then the back. Of course, when you have such a season it’s not easy to stop. But once I had some rest, I have to say, it was really nice. It’s not easy to start after this break, but I’m happy with the work we did in the last two weeks. Of course, I’m not maybe at my 100 percent, but just looking forward and happy to be healthy now and start playing.”

All said and done, the task won’t be easy for Rybakina, after being handed a tough draw at the WTA Finals. She opens her campaign against Jasmine Paolini, with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng to follow. Do you think Rybakina can go all the way and win the WTA Finals?