Novak Djokovic approves of Goran Ivanisevic and Elena Rybakina's new partnership

Novak Djokovic may have won the offseason after making the biggest coaching switch of all, hiring former rival Andy Murray, who retired from professional tennis over the summer, to his team.

But the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, also made a major move of his own, swapping the ATP Tour for the WTA Tour as he joined forces with world No. 6 Elena Rybakina during the offseason—and their new partnership has earned Djokovic’s stamp of approval.

Read More: Elena Rybakina hits the practice court with new coach Goran Ivanisevic in Dubai

Djokovic said he was thrilled to hear his former coach had teamed up with one of their favorite WTA players, telling press in Brisbane that he and Ivanisevic regularly enjoyed watching Rybakina’s matches.

“I was actually happy, because… we actually like Rybakina, the way she plays and how she is as a person,” Djokovic revealed. “When Goran used to work with me, we always liked to watch her play.

“So I was happy to hear the news that they are together. Hopefully Goran can contribute in a positive way to her game, to her success… I wish them all the best.”

“You know, I texted Goran the other day… I don't think he's ever worked on WTA Tour,” Djokovic added. “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.”

Read More: “Brother, you’re the GOAT”: Nick Kyrgios salutes Novak Djokovic after Brisbane doubles win

Djokovic made a winning start to the season at the Brisbane International, where he is playing singles and teaming up in doubles with Nick Kyrgios. Meanwhile, Rybakina and Ivanisevic are in Perth kicking off the season at the 2025 United Cup, where she’s gone undefeated playing for Team Kazakhstan in Group C.

“She's a top player. She's won a Grand Slam already, and she knows how that feels,” Djokovic said of Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. “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.”

Djokovic and Ivanisevic parted ways in March, ending their highly successful five-year partnership which saw the Serbian add nine more Grand Slam titles to his Hall of Fame-worthy haul.

Rybakina similarly announced the abrupt end of her own partnership with longtime coach Stefano Vukov, splitting with him ahead of the US Open. She didn’t compete again until the WTA Finals Riyadh, where she announced Ivanisevic will be her coach heading into the new season.

But it seems Vukov might not stay too far from the Rybakina camp after all: Russian journalist Sofya Tartakova has confirmed that Vukov will “support” the player in Melbourne during the Australian Open in a non-coaching capacity. He was previously spotted in the stands in Abu Dhabi, where Rybakina was competing at the World Tennis League exhibition event.