Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs has spoken up about Elena Rybakina appointing Goran Ivanisevic as her coach. Rybakina parted with Stefano Vukov earlier this year and will start working with Ivanisevic at the beginning of the 2025 season.
Rybakina got off to a fantastic start to the 2024 season. The 2022 Wimbledon champion won three WTA 500-level titles; the Brisbane International, the Abu Dhabi Open, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. However, illnesses and injuries, and subsequent withdrawals from tournaments marred the Kazakh’s second half of the season.
Recently, Rennae Stubbs, the Australian former doubles specialist who coached Serena Williams for her 2022 US Open campaign, talked about Elena Rybakina and Goran Ivanisevic’s collaboration. Her assessment of the partnership came during an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
Elena Rybakina to Team Up with Goran Ivanisevic for the 2025 Season: A Strategic Move for Future Success
Elena Rybakina, the talented Kazakh player and 2022 Wimbledon champion, has announced a significant change in her coaching team as she enters the 2025 tennis season. This new collaboration sees her joining forces with Goran Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion himself and renowned for his coaching acumen, especially with Novak Djokovic, one of the sport’s all-time greats. The pairing has caught the attention of many, including tennis pundits and former players, with Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs weighing in on the potential impact this partnership could bring.
Rybakina parted ways with her previous coach, Stefano Vukov, earlier in the year, marking the end of a partnership that had been instrumental in her rise to the top echelons of women’s tennis. However, with her consistent success disrupted by mid-season health issues in 2024, it’s clear that the upcoming season marks a crucial juncture in her career, making the timing of this new coaching partnership especially significant.
A Look Back at Rybakina’s 2024 Season: Highs and Lows
Rybakina began the 2024 season on a high note, capturing three prestigious WTA 500-level titles, including the Brisbane International, the Abu Dhabi Open, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Her power-packed performances on court and precision shot-making demonstrated her ability to dominate on the WTA Tour and hinted at a potential Grand Slam-winning season ahead. She was in peak form, solidifying her status as a fierce competitor capable of challenging the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff.
However, as the season progressed, Rybakina faced unforeseen hurdles. Illnesses, compounded by physical injuries, derailed her momentum, leading to her withdrawal from several tournaments. These health struggles prevented her from building on her early-season success, raising questions about how she could regain her form and compete at her best level consistently. By the season’s end, her ranking had slightly dipped, and the excitement surrounding her bright start was overshadowed by concerns over her physical resilience and ability to withstand the rigors of the tour.
This difficult latter half of 2024 prompted many in the tennis community to wonder if Rybakina would seek fresh strategies, including changes in her coaching staff, to help her manage both the physical and mental challenges of top-tier competition. Thus, the news of her new collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic has sparked renewed hope and optimism about her potential in 2025.
Goran Ivanisevic: A Proven Mentor with a Track Record of Success
Goran Ivanisevic is no stranger to the world of high-stakes tennis. Known for his powerful serve and tenacious playing style, Ivanisevic reached his career peak with his memorable victory at Wimbledon in 2001. His understanding of the game’s technical and mental demands has made him a sought-after coach, particularly respected for his work with Novak Djokovic, with whom he forged a highly successful partnership.
Under Ivanisevic’s guidance, Djokovic has achieved unprecedented success, securing multiple Grand Slam titles and strengthening his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Ivanisevic’s coaching style, which emphasizes resilience, strategic adaptation, and mental toughness, has been credited as a key factor in Djokovic’s ability to perform consistently under pressure, even in the face of difficult situations.
As a coach, Ivanisevic’s insights into serving dynamics and on-court movement are expected to align well with Rybakina’s playing style. Both share a powerful baseline game, making Ivanisevic well-equipped to refine Rybakina’s already formidable skills while also helping her develop the mental fortitude needed to overcome setbacks. Ivanisevic’s experience in coaching top-tier athletes may prove invaluable for Rybakina as she looks to break into the WTA’s top ranks consistently and establish herself as a regular contender in the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments.
Rennae Stubbs Weighs In on the Partnership
Rennae Stubbs, a former doubles specialist who briefly coached Serena Williams during her 2022 US Open farewell, recently shared her thoughts on Rybakina’s new coaching arrangement on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. Stubbs expressed her belief that Ivanisevic’s experience, combined with Rybakina’s raw potential, could yield remarkable results. She praised Ivanisevic’s ability to bring out the best in his players and noted that Rybakina’s style might benefit from a coach who understands the intricacies of power-based, aggressive tennis, especially someone who has coached a player as dominant as Djokovic.
Stubbs highlighted how Ivanisevic’s approach to mental conditioning and physical endurance could be transformative for Rybakina. In her view, a coach like Ivanisevic could instill in Rybakina the mindset to persevere through challenging matches and grueling tournaments, something that could make all the difference in a sport as mentally taxing as tennis. Stubbs also remarked on Ivanisevic’s reputation for fostering discipline and focus, qualities that could help Rybakina maintain her peak performance levels throughout the season.
What Rybakina Stands to Gain from This Partnership
With Ivanisevic on board, Rybakina has a unique opportunity to enhance both the physical and mental aspects of her game. His expertise could help her become more consistent on her serve, an area where she already excels but has room to further improve. Ivanisevic’s guidance could also aid her in handling high-pressure points, making her less susceptible to lapses during pivotal moments of big matches.
Beyond the technical improvements, Ivanisevic’s influence on Rybakina’s mental game could be the catalyst she needs to compete at an elite level. As Stubbs pointed out, it is often the mental edge that distinguishes a champion from a contender, and working with a coach who has guided one of the most mentally resilient players in tennis history could be immensely beneficial for Rybakina.
A New Dawn for Rybakina in 2025?
As Rybakina prepares for the 2025 season, the partnership with Ivanisevic stands out as a strategic move to overcome the setbacks that marred her 2024 campaign. While there is no guarantee that the collaboration will instantly lead to Grand Slam success, the alignment of their goals and styles presents a promising foundation for growth. If Rybakina can stay healthy and adapt to the changes Ivanisevic brings to her training and match strategy, she could very well reassert herself as a top player on the tour and a serious Grand Slam contender.
Rybakina’s decision to bring Ivanisevic into her team reflects her commitment to reaching the highest level of the sport. With a Grand Slam champion and experienced coach like Ivanisevic by her side, the 2025 season could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career, where she not only refines her skills but also develops the consistency and resilience needed to thrive at the top. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this collaboration will unlock Rybakina’s full potential and enable her to fulfill the promise she has shown early in her career.
As Rennae Stubbs aptly noted, “It’s not just about finding a coach who understands your game—it’s about finding someone who can help you evolve.” For Rybakina, Ivanisevic might just be that person, capable of steering her through the challenges ahead and helping her reach her ultimate aspirations in the world of professional tennis.