Novak Djokovic Gives Thumbs Up to Goran Ivanisevic and Elena Rybakina’s New Partnership
Novak Djokovic has always been vocal about his admiration for the tennis world and the players he respects, and this time, he’s voiced his approval for the new partnership between his former coach Goran Ivanisevic and WTA star Elena Rybakina. Ivanisevic, who worked closely with Djokovic for five years and helped him win nine Grand Slam titles, has now taken on a fresh challenge by moving from the ATP to the WTA Tour. He recently joined forces with world No. 6 Elena Rybakina, and Djokovic is excited to see what this collaboration will bring.
Speaking at the Brisbane International, Djokovic shared his happiness about the new coaching alliance. He explained that both he and Ivanisevic always admired Rybakina’s game when they watched her play, and they were particularly impressed by her style and personality. Djokovic expressed his support, saying, “When Goran used to work with me, we always liked to watch her play. So I was happy to hear the news that they are together. Hopefully, Goran can contribute in a positive way to her game and her success.” He continued to wish them the best of luck and even mentioned having a conversation with Ivanisevic about the transition. Djokovic noted that while Ivanisevic is used to coaching male players, he’s excited about helping Rybakina, and the Serbian believes the pair will make great strides together.
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Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022, has already proven her potential on the court, and with Ivanisevic now in her corner, Djokovic is confident that she’s in for more success. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was full of praise for the Kazakh player, noting her hunger for more achievements, “She’s a top player. She’s won a Grand Slam already, and she knows how that feels,” Djokovic said. “I’m sure she’s hungry for more and she seems to be very motivated. She started off the season with a couple of good wins.”
As both players began their 2025 seasons, Rybakina has already made an impact at the United Cup, playing a key role in leading Team Kazakhstan to the semi-finals. Djokovic, meanwhile, has been hitting the courts in Brisbane, already teaming up with Nick Kyrgios for doubles matches. But what really stands out is the potential of Rybakina and Ivanisevic’s collaboration. Djokovic sees them lifting big trophies in the future, and he believes the experienced coach will be a major asset to Rybakina’s game.
The off-season saw many changes, but for Djokovic, the shift with Ivanisevic was particularly notable. Their five-year partnership ended earlier in 2024, and Djokovic moved on to a new coaching arrangement. For Ivanisevic, however, this new chapter with Rybakina marks a significant shift to the WTA Tour, and it’s already yielding results. During their time together in Dubai, Ivanisevic focused on improving Rybakina’s serve and encouraged her to play more aggressively, coming to the net and finishing points faster. Rybakina herself seems to be enjoying the work, calling Ivanisevic a “fun guy” and noting how much she’s learning from him, particularly about how he used to prepare for matches as a player.
As the Australian Open looms on the horizon, both Djokovic and Rybakina have momentum on their side. While Djokovic’s coaching journey has taken a new direction, he’s fully behind his former coach and his new pupil. The tennis world is certainly watching closely to see what Ivanisevic and Rybakina can achieve in 2025, and Djokovic’s support only strengthens the belief that this partnership could lead to significant success.
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