Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic breaks silence on the split amid ‘strange’ controversy surrounding Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina ended her partnership with Goran Ivanisevic shortly after her Australian Open campaign ended.
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Goran Ivanisevic, Stefano Vukov, Elena Rybakina (Images via X)
Goran Ivanisevic has spoken about his short coaching stint with Elena Rybakina. Their partnership began at the end of 2024 after she split from longtime coach Stefano Vukov in August. However, their time together did not last long.
On January 1, 2025, Rybakina announced that Vukov would rejoin her coaching team. This came as a surprise to many, including Ivanisevic. Around the same time, reports revealed that Vukov had been suspended by the WTA for violating their code of conduct.
I consider her, even before I became her coach, at least for me, to be the best tennis player in the world…She plays the most beautifully, she plays the simplest and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, some things happened off the court that I couldn’t control and I didn’t want to be a part of that and part of that story and then I decided that it was best to quit. I wish her all the best in her career.
Goran Ivanisevic said in an interview with Talking Tennis
Vukov was not allowed at the Australian Open due to his suspension. Tennis Australia upheld the WTA’s decision, and the investigation was still ongoing. Despite the situation, Ivanisevic coached Rybakina during the tournament.
Rybakina reached the fourth round in Melbourne but lost to Madison Keys, who went on to win the title. Soon after the event, Ivanisevic decided to leave his role as Rybakina’s coach.
Elena Rybakina spotted training with Stefano Vukov
Elena Rybakina was seen training with banned coach Stefano Vukov at a private club. Photos surfaced as she prepared for the clay court season. Vukov is not allowed on the WTA Tour for a year, but they seem to have found a way to keep working together.
Earlier this year, reports of Vukov’s mistreatment of Rybakina led to a WTA investigation. He was banned for his behavior and was not allowed to receive WTA credentials. They had worked together since 2019 but officially parted ways in August 2024. Despite this, Rybakina brought him back, which led to Goran Ivanisevic leaving her team.
After the ban, more troubling details emerged. Vukov allegedly tried to contact Rybakina at the US Open and sent her many messages. He is not allowed at tournaments, but a young player accidentally revealed that he was training with Rybakina at a private club, possibly in the UAE.
Since these courts are outside WTA control, they seem to have found a loophole. Rybakina is set to compete for Kazakhstan in the Billie Jean King Cup soon. Tennis fans reacted strongly to the news, with many expressing disappointment. Some compared this to Jannik Sinner’s situation, where banned players can still train outside ATP or WTA events.
Elena Rybakina loses early at the Miami Open
Ashlyn Krueger pulled off a huge upset at the WTA Miami Open on March 20, 2025. She defeated World No.8 Elena Rybakina in a thrilling match. A young American player, Krueger impressed the home crowd with her performance. Rybakina, expected to win with a 77% probability, faced a surprising loss.
The match took place in Miami Gardens, Florida, and was full of excitement. Krueger won with set scores of 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. This victory is a big moment in her career. Despite Rybakina’s strong record, she struggled against the determined Krueger.
Rybakina fought back in the second set, winning it easily. But Krueger stayed focused and played her best tennis in the final set. Her determination helped her secure the win. The crowd cheered as she celebrated her success.
Before the match, betting odds heavily favored Rybakina. Krueger had +275 odds, while Rybakina was at -357. Krueger’s odds were +220 for the first set compared to Rybakina’s -278. But Krueger defied expectations with her incredible performance.
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