Andy Roddick makes ‘surprised’ confession after Goran Ivanisevic takes coaching role

Kevin Palmer 03 Nov 2024 4:28 PM

Andy Roddick speaks at the US Open

Andy Roddick has admitted he was stunned when Goran Ivanesevic was unveiled as Elena Rybakina’s new coach – and he has backed the duo to thrive.

World No 5 Rybakina has lived through a challenging few months after her split with Stefano Vukov, her coach of five years.

Rumours have been swirling over the reasons for her parting with a coach who helped her win the 2022 Wimbledon title and climb to a career high ranking of No 3, but Rybakina has played down the reason why she opted to end the working relationship.

“I know that a lot of I guess rumors going on, but honestly we just parted ways with Stefano,” said Rybakina.

“I think we had incredible results over five years. We achieved a lot. I started with him when I was 200. I think it’s just now next chapter of my career. I want to make next step.”

“Of course it’s a big change, but I think that it’s going to be good change. It’s not easy when you working with someone for long time, but we are good with Stefano. I just wish him also all the best in his new chapter.”

Her move to hire Ivanesevic has caused a real stir in tennis, with Rybakina relishing the prospect of working with Goran Ivanisevic’s former coach.

“I think he’s great champion and he has so much experience. I’m really looking forward to start. Yeah, for me was important to get better,” added Rybakina.

“Of course, with the help of the agents we connected and just decided to start working. So I’m really looking forward.

“I definitely wanted to work with him. It’s just very interesting for me. I want to learn. Yeah, I’m just looking forward. As we just said, it’s something new for me. Also, I’ve been with one coach for long time. I want to learn. Yeah, really happy and we will see what we can do together.”

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Now former world No 1 Roddick has given her verdict on one of the more intriguing coaching tie-ups, as he told the Tennis Channel it has the potential to reap big rewards.

“I was surprised, but I shouldn’t have been,” said Roddick.

“I think we have become a little narrow-minded as Goran has only worked with men, so we didn’t have his name in the conversation.

“But if you think about it past my own ignorance, both of them are big servers who can hit all spots on the court.

“Who has Goran worked with? He been with big flat hitters who like to go through the court in Cilic and Djokovic.

“And what does Rybakina need? Maybe a little levity in her box with someone that actually has a sense of humour once in a while, so this looks like an unbelievable fit.

“When you get to a certain level, you want to talk to someone who has done it before.

“We have seen a decade of these accomplished coaches who have won Slams in their own right, so this makes a lot of sense. It’s also exciting.”