Novak Djokovic gives his verdict on ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic joining hands with Elena Rybakina

Novak Djokovic has broken his silence about his ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic’s new partnership with Elena Rybakina. The Serb revealed that he and Ivanisevic often watched Rybakina during their time together.

In November, Elena Rybakina announced that she had appointed 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as her new coach after ending her longtime partnership with another Croatian coach, Stefano Vukov. The pair began their new collaboration during preseason in Dubai. Goran Ivanisevic has since traveled with the 2022 Wimbledon champion to Australia, where she is contesting her first tournament of the 2025 season, the United Cup.

Interestingly, Rybakina is the first-ever WTA player Ivanisevic has teamed up with after a decade-long experience as an ATP coach. His most recent and also his most decorated collaboration was with Novak Djokovic. Goran Ivanisevic coached the Serb to a staggering nine Grand Slam titles during their five-year collaboration, which ended in March 2024.

Djokovic, who is competing at the 2025 Brisbane International, recently spoke about Ivanisevic’s surprising shift to the WTA tour as Elena Rybakina’s coach. The Serb had nothing but good things to say about the collaboration.

"Well, I was actually happy, because we talked about -- you know, we actually like Rybakina, the way she plays and how she is as a person," Novak Djokovic said in his post-match press conference after reaching the second round.

"When Goran used to work with me, we always liked to watch her play," he added. "So I was happy to hear the news that they are together."

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Novak Djokovic on Elena Rybakina-Goran Ivanisevic partnership: "Hopefully we can see them lifting some big trophies"

Elena Rybakina pictured at the 2025 United Cup - Image Source: Getty

With Goran Ivanisevic by her side, Elena Rybakina has made a promising start to her 2025 campaign. The player has won both matches she’s played so far at the United Cup—against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-2, 6-3) and Maria Sakkari (6-4, 6-3).

In the next couple of weeks, Rybakina, who was the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, begins her quest for a second Grand Slam title. In that regard, Novak Djokovic said:

"Hopefully Goran can contribute in a positive way to her game, to her success," he said in the aforementioned press conference.

"I mean, she's a top player. She's won a Grand Slam already, and she knows how that feels. I'm sure she's hungry for more and she seems to be very motivated. She started off the season, I saw, with a couple of good wins. I wish them all the best."

Djokovic also revealed his and Ivanisevic's conversation about the WTA move.

"I texted Goran the other day. I don't think he's ever worked on WTA tour. Maybe he didn't work for long time, but, you know, he was mostly on the ATP tour. So I asked him how it feels and everything, and it's a bit different for him, but he's pumped to help her out, and hopefully we can see them lifting some big trophies together," he said.

Elena Rybakina-led Kazakhstan has reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 United Cup. The squad takes on defending champions Germany for a spot in the semifinals on Wednesday, January 1. Rybakina faces Laura Siegmund in her singles match.

Meanwhile, after his 6-3, 6-3 win against Rinky Hijikata, Novak Djokovic is set to lock horns with Gael Monfils on Thursday, January 2.