Goran Ivanišević, the Croatian tennis legend and former Wimbledon champion, recently shared his plans regarding his coaching role with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
The two have been working together since 2022, with Ivanišević bringing his wealth of experience to the partnership. Their collaboration has already yielded impressive results, including Rybakina’s breakthrough Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022.
Ivanišević revealed that his coaching approach with Rybakina is tailored to her strengths, focusing on refining her already powerful game while ensuring she maintains her composure and consistency on the court.
Rybakina, known for her huge serve and aggressive baseline play, has a natural attacking style, and Ivanišević’s aim is to enhance these elements without overwhelming her with unnecessary technical adjustments.
A key aspect of his coaching strategy is to help Rybakina improve her mental toughness, a trait that Ivanišević himself became famous for during his playing career.
Ivanišević mentioned that staying calm under pressure, particularly in tight moments during matches, is essential for Rybakina to reach her full potential. The Croatian coach has emphasized the importance of confidence and self-belief, which he believes are integral for success on the WTA tour.
Another crucial focus for Ivanišević is to help Rybakina develop a more versatile game. While she is already a strong hard-court player, Ivanišević is working to broaden her skills on different surfaces, particularly on clay, where Rybakina has shown improvement in recent seasons.
Ivanišević sees this as a key area where Rybakina can become even more of a force on the WTA circuit, competing consistently across all surfaces.
Looking ahead, Ivanišević has stated that his goal is to help Rybakina challenge for the world No. 1 ranking, believing that with the right balance of mental strength, technical refinement, and tactical awareness, she has the potential to become one of the dominant players in women’s tennis.
Their partnership looks poised for continued success, with Ivanišević’s mentorship proving to be a valuable asset for Rybakina as she continues to rise through the ranks.
