Elena Rybakina discusses the impact of Goran Ivanisevic and Stefano Vukov on her game at the Australian Open so far
Elena Rybakina defeated teenage sensation Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
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Goran Ivanisevic, Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov (Images via X)
Elena Rybakina cruised past 16-year-old Aussie Emerson Jones in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. It was the sixth seed’s first victory under her new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, who previously worked with Novak Djokovic. After the match, the 26-year-old revealed that her former coach was in contact with her.
Ivanisevic joined Rybakina’s team in November after she had been without a coach for almost three months. The 2022 Wimbledon champion had parted ways with Stefano Vukov in August after a run of inconsistent results. However, after the split, there were speculations that Vukov used harsh and abusive behavior towards Rybakina.
Surprisingly, in the new year, Rybakina announced that Vukov was going to rejoin her team despite currently being under a provisional suspension by the WTA while also being under investigation for a potential breach of the tour’s Code of Conduct. The re-hiring has blindsided the partnership between Ivanisevic and Rybakina.
But she did well on the court to prove that the distraction doesn’t mean anything. She played a fantastic tennis match, beating Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-1 in just 53 minutes at Melbourne Park. During her press conference, she revealed that she spoke with Vukov ahead of the match.
I think its too early to say. We worked a little bit on everything. We are still getting to know each other. So I would say a bit on everything. I generally speak with him [Stefano Vukov], the same as Goran.
Elena Rybakina said
Rybakina, the 2023 Australian Open finalist, hopes to continue with her good form in Melbourne. She will face another wild carder, 17-year-old Iva Jovic, in the second round, after the American defeated Spanish 33-year-old Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in straight sets.
Elena Rybakina praises teenage sensation Emerson Jones after straight sets victory
Elena Rybakina proved once more that she’s a very talented player. The Kazakhstan ace smashed 26 winners and 11 aces against Emerson Jones. She gave the teenager no chance, especially in the second set when she converted five of her seven break points, erasing the three break points Jones at 5-1.
However, Jones played some good tennis despite the defeat. The 16-year-old has been tipped to be next Ash Barty, the former WTA No.1. During Rybakina’s on-court interview, she praised the youngster.
She [Jones] has a great future and many more years on tour, but I am pretty happy with my performance. I watched a bit [of] her matches. It took me a couple of games to get used to how she hits the ball.
Elena Rybakina said
Rybakina began the 2025 season at the United Cup where she won three matches and lost one. The World No.6 is putting her stake to win the Australian Open for the first time in her career, which will make it her second Grand Slam.
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Victor Okechukwu
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