Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, said on Thursday that she is confident her new collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic, the former coach of Novak Djokovic, would be successful, beginning at the United Cup for mixed teams.
Before playing with her Kazakhstani teammates in the Perth leg of the 18-nation competition, which kicks off the 2025 season and is also being contested in Sydney, the world number six finished a training block in Dubai with the Croat.
Rybakina is the favorite against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 54th, in Kazakhstan’s opening match against Spain on Friday.
The match will be the first test of her new collaboration with the 53-year-old Ivanisevic, who parted ways last season with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.
“We had a couple of weeks together, Goran’s a fun guy,” said Rybakina, the beaten finalist in the 2023 Australian Open. “I can’t say (too) much about our work, but we had a good preparation.
“Not much time has passed but I’m already getting experience from him, especially as a player, how he used to prepare.
“I’m learning every day, I’m feeling much better physically and hopefully we can do well here,” she said after an injury-marred 2024.
After Djokovic upset his squad by replacing him with Andy Murray in November as he nears the end of an incredible career, Ivanisevic joined Rybakina.
After winning three championships in her first eight tournaments before being sidelined by a back issue and illness last season, Rybakina is hoping to make up for the setback.
Before making a comeback at the WTA Finals, when she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the 25-year-old boycotted the late-season Asian swing.
The whole Kazakh team is new to the United Cup, which is currently in its third iteration. They are enjoying their chances and connected over a Christmas feast.
“This is my first time on a team,” Rybakina said. “There are not a lot of team events so I’m hyped about this one. I hope we will have great chances.
“It’s nice to change the schedule a bit at the start of the year. Here you can face good players, I’m looking forward to the start.”
In Friday’s other tie, Brazil face China, who are without world number five Zheng Qinwen after she pulled out of the tournament saying she needed more rest ahead of the Australian Open from January 12.
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