“I didn’t want to be part of that”: Goran Ivanisevic opens up about reasons behind ending partnership with Elena Rybakina

Goran Ivanisevic Opens Up on Split with Elena Rybakina: “A Sad and Strange Story”

Goran Ivanisevic has broken his silence on his short-lived coaching stint with Elena Rybakina, shedding light on why their partnership ended abruptly. The 53-year-old Croatian coach joined Rybakina’s team after her split with long-time coach Stefano Vukov but soon decided to walk away from the role.

Rybakina’s decision to rehire Vukov ultimately led to Ivanisevic’s departure. Speculation soon followed, with reports surfacing that Rybakina and Vukov were romantically involved.

“Off-Court Issues Led to My Decision”

In an interview with Arena Sport, as quoted by Talking Tennis, Ivanisevic revealed that off-court matters played a significant role in his decision to step away.

“I already considered her the best tennis player in the world before joining her team,” he said. “She plays with such ease, and it’s impressive to watch. But unfortunately, things happened off the court that I couldn’t control, and I didn’t want to be part of that. It’s a sad and strange story. The best decision for me was to leave. I wish Elena all the best in her career and life.”

Rybakina Struggling for Form

Rybakina has faced a challenging period on the court in recent weeks. She suffered an early exit at the Miami Open, losing to rising American star Ashlyn Krueger in a three-set battle (4-6, 6-2, 4-6). Before that, she was eliminated in the fourth round of Indian Wells by Russia’s teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in a dominant straight-sets victory (6-1, 6-2).

As Rybakina navigates this turbulent phase in her career, questions remain about how her coaching decisions and off-court dynamics will impact her future performances.