In a surprising turn of events, reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic following her fourth round exit at the Australian Open. The brief partnership, which began at the start of the 2025 season, came to an abrupt end as Rybakina fell to American Madison Keys in three sets.
Ivanisevic, who previously guided Novak Djokovic to multiple Grand Slam titles, announced the split on his Instagram account Tuesday. “After our trial period that finished with the Australian Open, I wish Elena and her team best of luck moving forward,” the 2001 Wimbledon winner stated. The exact reasons for the split remain unclear.
Vukov Suspension Complicates Matters
The coaching change comes amidst controversy surrounding Rybakina’s long-time mentor Stefano Vukov. The WTA provisionally suspended Vukov earlier this month due to a potential code of conduct violation, barring him from obtaining credentials at WTA tournaments during the ongoing investigation.
Vukov, who coached Rybakina to her breakthrough Wimbledon victory in 2022, vehemently denies any wrongdoing. “I have never abused anyone,” he told The Athletic, the outlet that first reported his suspension. Rybakina has also publicly supported Vukov, stating that he never mistreated her.
Uncertain Future for Rybakina
With the departure of Ivanisevic and Vukov’s coaching status in limbo, questions loom over Rybakina’s future plans. When asked about her partnership with Ivanisevic following her Australian Open defeat, the world No. 22 admitted, “We still need to talk of course. We just tried the preseason and a couple of tournaments. It was something we were just getting used to each other.”
The 24-year-old Kazakh now faces the challenge of regrouping and finding the right coaching fit to help her build on her Wimbledon success. As one of the WTA Tour’s rising stars, Rybakina will undoubtedly attract interest from top coaches eager to guide her immense potential.
Elena is a tremendous talent with a bright future ahead of her. I’m confident she will bounce back stronger from this transition period.
– WTA CEO Steve Simon
Key Takeaways:
- Elena Rybakina and coach Goran Ivanisevic mutually end partnership after Australian Open
- Rybakina’s long-time coach Stefano Vukov provisionally suspended by WTA amid code of conduct investigation; denies allegations
- Kazakh star faces uncertainty in coaching situation and future plans moving forward
As the tennis world eagerly awaits Rybakina’s next move, one thing is certain – the talented young player has the skills and determination to overcome this challenging period. With the right support system in place, Rybakina has the potential to become a consistent force at the top of the women’s game for years to come.
