By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday 5 November 2024
Goran Ivanishevićthe new coach of Elena Rybakinathere were several offers after he split with Novak Djokovic earlier this season. The former Wimbledon champion settled on what she found most exciting – a chance to take Rybakina’s game to the next level.
In an interview with Tennis Majors’ Sasa Ozmo, the Croatian legend explained his reasoning.
“There were several other offers, but I think I chose the right one for me – because of Elena’s style of play and potential, but also because of her personality. Elena is calm and I can’t wait to get going. I think it will be good,” he said.
After a five-year partnership with Djokovic that saw the Serbian legend rise to the top of the men’s Grand Slam titles totem pole, Ivanisevic says he is keen 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 championships, he says.
“I know a lot of people found it strange and that people were surprised by our collaboration, but not me,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors. “I needed a turn after Novak. I won everything with Novak, so I’m 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 on men’s tennis right now.”
💬 “After Novak, it’s really hard to train someone, so I needed something completely different.” Read our exclusive interview with Goran Ivanisevic, from @ozmo_sasa ⬇️https://t.co/j0w7aTw0v0
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 5, 2024
Ivanisevic says he will use the offseason to get to know Rybakin. He believes there is a lot of room for growth in her game.
“I don’t know her very well personally, but my friend Zule is her fitness trainer,” he said. We’ve worked together with Tomas Berdych – and the word around the tournament in general is that she’s a great person. In terms of the game, she has a big serve, long, strong forehand that plays aggressively, she won Wimbledon just like me.
“I feel I can teach her something. I mean, she’s already No. 5 in the world, but I think she can win more Slams, that’s for sure.”
