Andy Roddick is very high on the Elena Rybakina and Goran Ivanisevic partnership as the American tennis legend thinks this is a great fit tennis-wise but also personality-wise.
In case you missed it, the 2022 Wimbledon champion dropped a bombshell during her pre-tournament presser at the WTA Finals, revealing to reporters that she hired Novak Djokovic’s former long-time coach.
After stunningly ending her five-year partnership with Stefano Vukov at the US Open, the Kazakh tennis star disappeared for some time and didn’t play any events during the Asian swing. While nothing was officially confirmed, there were reports indicating that Rybakina was working with coaches from the Kazakh Tennis Federation when she decided to hit the practice court again.
And just like many others, Roddick was also left surprised by the news. But after thinking about it, he quickly realized that it made so much sense for the world No. 5 to make that move.
“I was surprised but I shouldn’t have been. I think we’ve become a little narrow-minded when Goran’s only working with men. So we didn’t have his name in the conversation, but if you think about it, past my own ignorance, both big servers who can hit all spots on the court,” the 2003 US Open champion said on Tennis Channel.
Not only that the former world No. 1 thinks Ivanisevic is a great coach for Rybakina’s tennis, but he also thinks the Croatian will know how to relax the Kazakh during tense in-match moments.
“Who has Goran worked with? With big, flat hitters who like to go through the court, right, with Cilic and Djokovic. And what does Rybakina need? Maybe a little bit of levity in her box. Maybe someone who has a sense of humor, every once in a while. So, on merit, it seems like an unbelievable fit. Certainly exciting,” Roddick added.
Andy Roddick© Served with Andy Roddick/YouTube
How Rybakina shared the news?
After arriving in Riyadh, the 2022 Wimbledon winner admitted that after not playing for such a long time, she just wanted to try to get into shape for the WTA Finals. After making that clear, she shared that she found a new coach and that their collaboration would officially start in the offseason.
“Pre-season I’m going to start with a new coach, which I’m also very excited. For now the focus was mainly to get back in shape. For now I think we did a really great job because it was not much time. We will see how the matches will go. I think we know each other well as players. We played many times. I will try to bring all my experience and just have fun, yeah, fight and see how it’s going to go,” Rybakina said in her pre-tournament presser.
After revealing that she had a new coach in place, the reporters asked her if she could give the name: “Yes. It’s going to be Goran Ivanisevic. Now I’m going to stay here for the next seven minutes, right (laughter)?”
Elena Rybakina© YouTube screenshot
Why Rybakina wanted Ivanisevic?
After guiding Marin Cilic to a maiden Grand Slam title at the 2014 US Open, the Croatian tennis legend also enjoyed massive success with Djokovic after the Serb landed 12 Majors during their time together. Also, the 2001 Wimbledon champion had a stint with former top-10 star Tomas Berdych.
And when the idea of adding Ivanisevic was brought up, Rybakina felt that the 53-year-old had everything she was searching for in a coach.
“Really looking forward to this partnership. I think he’s a great champion and he has so much experience. I’m really looking forward to start (to work with him). Yeah, for me was important to get better. Of course, with the help of the agents we connected and just decided to start working. So I’m really looking forward,” the 2023 Australian Open runner-up said.
According to Rybakina, the excitement is the same on both sides.
“Well, I definitely wanted to work with him. I’m sure since he said yes he also, so… It’s just very interesting for 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 long time. I want to learn. Yeah, really happy and we will see what we can do together,” she added.
Currently, Rybakina is at the WTA Finals, where she lost to Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen in her opening two matches and lost without a chance to reach the semifinal.
After playing against Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday in her last group-stage match, the Kazakh’s season still won’t be over since she has also agreed to represent her nation in their Billie Jean King Cup tie against Korea.
Once the tie concludes on November 16th, Rybakina will switch her focus to the 2025 season.