Who Is Elena Rybakina’s New Coach, and How Did She Propel Kazakhstan to a United Cup Victory?

Elena Rybakina Begins 2025 with a Strong United Cup Performance and a New Coaching Partnership

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has started the 2025 season on a high note, leading Kazakhstan to a 2-1 victory over Spain in their opening United Cup match. Rybakina showcased her signature power and precision, defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-3 in singles before teaming up with Alexander Shevchenko for a thrilling mixed doubles win. The duo triumphed over Spain’s Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers and Pablo Carreño Busta in a closely contested tiebreak, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 10-7.

New Beginnings with Goran Ivanisevic

This tournament marks the first official outing of Rybakina’s partnership with her new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and longtime mentor to Novak Djokovic. The collaboration follows Rybakina’s unexpected split with her previous coach, Stefano Vukov, ahead of the 2024 US Open. Rybakina announced the change during the WTA Finals last fall, signaling a new chapter in her career.

Rybakina expressed optimism about her work with Ivanisevic, highlighting their focus on refining her aggressive playstyle. “We did preparation for a couple of weeks, and we’re still now getting to know each other better,” Rybakina said after her singles victory. “There’s a lot of things I can improve, and we’re working a little bit on everything. Slowly, I think we’ll see the result of the work.”

Ivanisevic’s Strategic Vision

Goran Ivanisevic has already begun implementing changes to sharpen Rybakina’s game. Speaking in a sideline interview, the former world No. 2 outlined his approach: “We worked a couple weeks in Dubai, focusing on the serve and encouraging her to come more to the net. She has a big game and can finish points much earlier than she usually does.” Ivanisevic emphasized the importance of building Rybakina’s confidence in playing aggressively and finishing rallies with volleys.

This strategic adjustment paid off in the mixed doubles match, where Rybakina displayed newfound finesse at the net, contributing significantly to Kazakhstan’s victory. Ivanisevic’s influence is already evident, and the pairing shows promise as they aim for a breakthrough season in 2025.

A Milestone Achievement

Rybakina’s strong performance at the United Cup coincides with her achieving a significant career milestone: 100 consecutive weeks in the WTA Top 10. This consistency underscores her status as one of the most formidable players on the tour and sets a solid foundation for further success in the coming season.

Looking Ahead

Team Kazakhstan now faces a tougher challenge in their second group match against Greece, led by Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite the daunting opposition, Rybakina’s current form and the momentum from her recent victories make her a key player to watch.

With Ivanisevic’s guidance and her dedication to improving, Rybakina is poised to elevate her game to new heights in 2025. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how this promising partnership unfolds in the months to come.

Stay tuned as Rybakina continues her journey in the United Cup and beyond, aiming for greater achievements on the WTA Tour.