“Needs professional help”- Netizens worried about Elena Rybakina’s tennis career after parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic and resuming with Stefano Vukov

Elena Rybakina's partnership with Goran Ivanisevic hardly lasted two months, despite a promising collaboration.

“Needs professional help”- Netizens worried about Elena Rybakina’s tennis career after parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic and resuming with Stefano Vukov

Goran Ivanisevic, Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov (Images via X)

Elena Rybakina has been caught in another web of controversy after former Wimbledon Champion Goran Ivanisevic revealed that he would stop coaching her just after her Australian Open exit. The World No.6 suffered a major setback in her run of form in Melbourne after losing to Madison Keys in the fourth round.

Rybakina has been making headlines since the start of the year because of several controversies surrounding the re-hiring of her former coach, Stefano Vukov on January 1. After having parted ways with Vukov previously in August, she had announced her partnership with Goran Ivanisevic in November.

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But the pair started working together in mid-December on a trial basis. Under the veteran coach’s guidance, Rybakina went 6-2 win-loss across the United Cup and the Australian Open. On Monday (January 20), she was eliminated from the season’s opening major after losing 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 to Keys in the Round of 16.

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Then, on Tuesday (January 21), Ivanisevic posted on Instagram that he would not be continuing with Rybakina.

After our trial period that finished with the Australian Open, I wish Elena and her team best of luck moving forward.

Goran Ivanisevic wrote via Instagram story

Nonetheless, Ivanisevic parting ways with Rybakina doesn’t come as a surprise to fans as the re-hiring of Stefano Vukov caused a major controversy. Vukov was already provisionally suspended by the WTA, with an investigation into his conduct towards the player being carried out by the women’s governing body. In fact, Vukov was not given credentials to attend the 2025 Australian Open, but Rybakina has remained in contact with him.

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Fans react following Goran Ivanisevic announcing split with Elena Rybakina

Goran Ivanisevic, who coached Novak Djokovic and led him to win 12 of his 24 Grand Slams was predicted to be the coach to turn things around for Elena Rybakina. But their partnership didn’t go past two months. Also, this comes just a day after Rybakina revealed that she would talk to Stefano Vukov about how her season schedule will look.

Elena Rybakina (2)
Elena Rybakina (Image via X)

Fans on social media reacted to the announcement about Ivanisevic split with Rybakina. One fan even said that the 2022 Wimbledon champion needed help.

Here are other fans’ reactions:

Rybakina will have a lot of work to do going forward, particularly about her team. The World No.6 has been inconsistent with her performance of late.